Reprinted from The Trumbull Times © Copyright 2009
July 30, 2009

By Donald Eng

The GOP's underticket for the Nov. 3 election contains a mix of new faces and experience. Suzanne Burr Monaco, a retired Trumbull High School teacher, once again is running for town clerk, a position she held from 2005-07.

Monaco, who is certified by the state and New England associations of town clerks, said she intended to return accountability and non-partisanship to the town clerk's office.

"When you look at the record of the current administration, you know it's time for a change," she said.

Tax consultant John Ponzio is the Republican candidate for town treasurer. Ponzio is a former town councilman and finance board chairman. He said he essentially had retired from political life until a new wave of energy swept through the Republican Party.

"The enthusiasm in this party has rekindled my enthusiasm," he said.

Both Monaco and Ponzio have matched the pledge of Timothy Herbst, the party's nominee to run for first selectman, to return 3% of their salaries in their first term. Since all three positions received no raise this year, that means the 2011 salaries for the three would be below what their predecessors received in 2007, should they win.

Ted Lovely, a longtime educator in the Trumbull school system, leads the GOP's contingent for school board. Among other roles in his career, Lovely served as principal of Trumbull High and St. Theresa School, and was curriculum director and interim assistant school superintendent.

Lovely said his experience running a Catholic school had given him insight into operating within very tight budget constraints. Thomas Kelly, Alexandra Remson and Michael Mammana make up the remaining three candidates for the seven-seat school board.

The remaining underticket candidates are: James Battistelli and David Berkwits, constable; Paul Lavoie, Board of Assessment Appeals; Michael Miur and David Preusch, Zoning Board of Appeals; and Gary Bean and Richard Deecken, Planning and Zoning Commission.

The 14 candidates for Town Council nominated Monday night are: Suzanne Testani and David Piam, District 1; Rob Pescatore Jr. and Jane Deyoe, District 2; Jeff Jenkins and Roberta Bellows, District 3; Debbie Lamberti and Kristy Waizenegger, District 4; Martha Mark and Ann Marie Evangelista, District 5; Carl Massaro and Mike London, DIstrict 6; and Tony Scinto and Chad Ciocci, District 7.