‘Wallingford Empowered’ makes debut with eye on 2013 election

As published in the Record Journal Tuesday October 9, 2012

By Laurie Rich Salerno

Record-Journal staff

lsalerno@record-journal.com

(203) 317-2235

Twitter:@LaurieSalernoRJ


WALLINGFORD — Many visitors to Celebrate Wallingford this weekend witnessed the debut of a new town political group. It’s called “Wallingford Empowered,” and organizers say it’s devoted to getting out the vote, promoting transparency, strong ethics, and the use of technology in local government.

Over the weekend, volunteers from Wallingford Empowered handed out voter registration forms and flyers at the festival urging residents to “Spark the Conversation.” The group has been a registered Political Action Committee for about six weeks, and this was its first formal event, according to organizers.

“The whole goal is to try to encourage people who haven’t voted to try to come out and vote,” said Geno Zandri, a member and former towncouncilor, and Democratic candidate for mayor in 1999.

Zandri is one of the wellknown local Democrats in the group, which was started by local resident Richard Caplan. Caplan said the group has two functions: spurring more residents to vote and increasing discourse between the two parties that he feels has evaporated through the years.

“It’s just a group of people who’d like to re-establish ... the political conversation betweenparties that seems to have completely dissolved,” Caplan said, and “simultaneously increase the voter turnout.”

Though the members skew Democratic, Democratic Town Chairman Vincent Avallone said it is separate from the town committee.

“We’re entirely separate — although there are a lot of the same ideas and thoughts and goals,” Avallone said. He said that he is not part of the new group.

Caplan acknowledged that some of the group’s 20-plus members are Democrats, but he did not say whether the group had a political preference. He said the group advocates for better government.

“Certainly the flavor of this group is advocating significantly more transparency in government than is currently being displayed in town,” Caplan said.

Avallone, who said he had spoken with group members,said he could not say whether the overall group is Democratic.

“I don’t think they’re a pro-Dickinson group,” Avallone said, referencing Republican Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. Dickinson was unavailable for comment, as Town Hall was closed Monday for Columbus Day. The mayor has been frequently criticized by members of both political parties for not embracing technology.

The big push right now for members is to help people register to vote or encourage those already registered to vote — but though the national election is just a month away, members say they’re actually focusing on municipal elections a year from now.

“Our goal is the local election, however we did already register people that will qualify for the presidential election,”Zandri said. Zandri is in charge of the voting effort, Caplan said. Zandri said he and other volunteers would be knocking on doors and calling registered voters who didn’t vote in the last election, and non-registered voters, to encourage them to vote. Most efforts will begin after the Nov. 6 election. The idea is to improve voting rates in solely municipal elections; in 2011, voter turnout was just 39.4 percent.

“To help people understandthat local elections are as important, if not more important, than national ones that seem to attract a higher turnout,” Caplan said.

Though for now the group’s intent is to get out the vote, Caplan said that could change, intimating larger aspirations for Wallingford Empowered.

“I think the group will evolve,” Caplan said. “Two months from now, three months from now it may have a different focus.”

The group has a website and a Facebook page. Reached Monday, Republican Town Councilor Craig Fishbein said he hadn’t heard much about the group, but after looking at its website said he welcomed its stated goals.

“Transparency and openness are always good for better government — I welcome whoever to our process,” Fishbein said.

26th Annual CELEBRATE WALLINGFORD is this weekend

Quick note – I will be there this weekend, weather permitting – Sunday may be up in the air. I will be collecting donations for the Wallingford Fireworks Fund. Hope to see you there

 

As published in the supplement to the Record Journal on Friday October 5, 2012

By Elizabeth Landow , Executive Director, Wallingford Center Inc.

Once again, it is time for CELEBRATE WALLINGFORD!! The first weekend in October marks the biggest event of the year. It is the time of the year that we can truly appreciate this wonderful town we live in!

After five years in our Hall Street location, we are excited to be holding the event up at the South and North Main Streets location.

This is a wonderful opportunity to 'taste' the specialties of many of Wallingford's finest restaurants and recognize the civic and non-profit organizations that help make this town what it is! Please stop by and admire the handicraft of the many participating crafters and be sure to check out the businesses that are participating this year – there are several new local entrepreneurs who have decided to showcase their businesses at the festival.

For the fourth year, we will be hosting a Homemade pie contest – the judges can't wait to taste the wonderful entries this year and as always we have a delightful selection of music scheduled to entertain you.

WCI is thrilled once again to join forces with the Health Department and the Wallingford Family YMCA to present the 3rd Annual Activate Wallingford Health Walk and we are happy to announce that theca will be hosting a 'Fitness Fun Zone', in the Holy Trinity School parking lot. Please stop by to see what all the excitement is about!

A new addition this year is the 'New' Car Show!! Several of Wallingford's car dealers will be displaying the exciting new models of cars in the parking lot behind Simpson Court.

Another exciting feature this year is the 'Harvest Fair' down at the gazebo – please walk down to the railroad station green where you can find several of the local farmers selling pumpkins, mums and all sorts of things to get you into the Autumn mood and along the way be sure to stop by the local stores and shop a bit and pay special attention to the youth groups that will have a tent on the sidewalks – these kids will be showcasing their organizations and selling their fundraisers.

And last but not least – please walk through the Cemetery and view the wonderful artwork done by area adults and children and organized by Easel Works and take a moment to admire the beautiful Cemetery that is so well – maintained and is a truly a treasured part of Wallingford's history.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Wallingford Center, Inc., I would like to thank our major sponsors, Stop & Shop, Mid-State Medical and Ferguson &McGuire As well as our other sponsors: Nucor, John J. Kovacs Insurance and Plunske's Garage for their continued support to Celebrate Wallingford. WCI is fortunate to have the support of Mayor Dickinson and the town officials. If not for the help of our volunteers and dedicated town employees this event would not be possible. On a personal note – I would like to thanks all the WCI Board members who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to do whatever is needed to make this a successful event year after year.

Please come down and spend the day with us and CELEBRATE WALLINGFORD!!

Celebrate Wallingford 2011 / Wallingford Fireworks Fund

Celebrate Wallingford 2011 will be taking place Saturday October 1st -- 11AM – 7PM and Sunday October 2nd -- 12PM - 6PM at the Wallingford Railroad Station Green and along Hall Ave.





I know there will be some candidates there campaigning but I will not be one of them. I will be there both days collecting for the Wallingford Fireworks Fund and that will be it.  

There might be the time for both but for me it is more important to get the needed jump start on the 2012 celebration as opposed to adding more juice to my campaign. As I need to, I can meet with people individually and in small groups in their neighborhoods; there are very few opportunities for me to reach this many Wallingford residents all in one shot for the Fireworks Fund. 

Besides, if at this point I would think that the voters are well on their way to forming their opinions about me, how I might serve the town, and what my goals and aspirations for the town are. If I need to reinforce anything or further clarify for them I can always do this on a one to one basis. 

Hope to see you at Celebrate Wallingford - thank you for the support over the past two years and I hope we can count on it again going forward.