STRATFORD – The Stratford Republican Town Committee (RTC) nominated two-term Mayor Laura R. Hoydick for reelection at its meeting at the Stratford VFW Tuesday, July 22. The mayor is seeking a third term.
Mayor Hoydick, who has served as Stratford’s mayor since 2017, received the unanimous backing of the RTC, citing her proven record of fiscal responsibility, infrastructure improvement, economic development, efficiency in Town services, and community engagement.
“I thank you all for dedicating your time to us and being part of our team,” Hoydick said during her nomination speech. “Your efforts to help Stratford at times will be hard. People aren’t always kind, but it’s worthwhile and you’ll be able to say, ‘I made a difference and I made Stratford a better place to live.’ And together as a team, we’re going to continue to move Stratford forward and improve the quality of life for others.”
Hoydick will most likely face the Democratic candidate David Chess, who was also nominated by his party July 17. However, Zoning Commission Vice Chair Linda Manos, is attempting to force a primary.
“I’m running for Mayor because Stratford keeps coming up short,” Chess said in a statement on the Stratford Democrats website. “Year after year, we don’t have enough money to pay our bills. So, taxes go up — or services go down. I’ve spent months reviewing Stratford’s budgets from the past decade, and what I found is deeply concerning.
“Stratford already has one of the highest tax rates in the region at 40.2 mills — just below Bridgeport. Compared to Milford (29.14), Fairfield (27.9), and Shelton (19.18), it’s clear that our residents are paying too much and receiving too little in return.
RTC Member and elected member of Stratford’s Zoning Board of Appeals Chris Silhavey lauded Hoydick’s leadership while nominating her, noting, “We are on a steady course toward a more prosperous future for Stratford.
“We have the right leader with the right vision, supported by the right team and grounded in the right values,” Silhavey said. “Our job is to announce this message to the voters and assure them that the progress Stratford has made is due to the leadership of Mayor Laura Hoydick and her team. And, for that progress to continue, the choice is clear in November. Join me in supporting Mayor Laura Hoydick for a third term.”
In addition to the mayor’s nomination, the RTC nominated candidates for Town Council, Board of Education, Constable, and Land Use:
Town Council:
District 1: Bryan O’Connor
District 2: Bonnie Lambert
District 3: Ken Heltzel
District 4: Edward “Ed” Scinto
District 5: Rafael Irizarry
District 6: Kerry L. Whitham
District 7: Patty Gallagher
District 8: Carl A. Glad
District 9: George J. Zamary III
District 10: Paul T. Aurelia
Board of Education:
James J. Connor
Laura Dancho
Edward “Ed” Kingston
Prez Palmer
Constable:
Frank A. Bevacqua
Carol G. Cabral
Edward “Ed” Scinto
Richard “Dick” Brown
Land Use:
Planning Commission Districts 3&4: Edward “Ed” Scinto
Planning Commission Districts 5&6: Earl Samerotti
Planning Commission Districts 7&8: Debra Lamberti
Planning Commission Districts: 9&10: John Zbell
Zoning Commission Districts 5&6: Alec Voccola
Zoning Commission Districts 7&8: Sarah Graham
Zoning Commission Districts 9&10: Michael F. Henrick
Zoning Board of Appeals Districts 1&2: Christopher J. Pia
Zoning Board of Appeals Districts 3&4: Casimir Mizera
Zoning Board of Appeals Districts 5&6: Khi Samerotti
