Meet Our Team
Get to know your 2023 endorsed Democratic
candidates for office in Old Lyme.
candidates for office in Old Lyme.
Education
Personal details
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Martha ShoemakerCandidate for First SelectmanQ. Why did you decide to run for office? A. My decision to run for First Selectwoman in 2021 was prompted by overwhelming resident concerns that the progress of several town projects was stalled and critical responsibilities were not being met. As your Selectman, I have made some impact on a few of these issues. But we still have a long way to go. I believe that residents deserve a leader who will listen to their concerns, create strong fiscal budgets and bring consensus among groups who are working on the same projects. My skill-set and prior experience will enable me to address these challenges. I know that I can make further improvements to project planning and budget preparation. Q. What do you hope to accomplish while in office? A. In addition to what is noted above, I will plan for projects to be completed in a timely manner. We need to be more proactive and have long-term planning in place (not just budgeting for the project, but knowing the steps that will be required for execution). I will engage our department heads in staff meetings to strengthen the communication within town hall. I will meet regularly with Board chairs to keep up to date on their needs. I outlined three issues at the Federation of Beaches meeting in September. 1) Move forward with the sewer project - either by finding funding or by negotiating with DEEP for a solution that works for our residents. 2) Reactivate our dysfunctional Flooding and Erosion Control Board so we can deal with current flooding issues and plan for rising tides that could damage our coastline. 3) Safety issues need to be addressed - what needs do our police department and public works departments have (staffing - professional development - equipment, etc.) I will return to a twice-monthly Board of Selectman meeting schedule and will provide remote access to these meetings for our citizens. I will encourage all board chairs to do the same. |
Education
BA Political Sociology, Brandeis University MA Policy Analysis, The New School Personal details Lived in Old Lyme for 40 years, first as a summer resident; year-round for 19 years Married to Michaelle, raised twins in Old Lyme, both graduates of LOLHS Relevant experience Jim worked on many urban renewal and planning projects in New York, including the successful redesign of Union Square Park, and served as Director of Development for a nonprofit housing agency. Since moving to Old Lyme, Jim been the owner and chef of a successful restaurant and written several books on the history of Old Lyme. Volunteer experience Planning Commission Community Connectivity Grant Committee Sound View Improvements Committee Guest speaker at Old Lyme Historical Society |
Jim LamposCandidate for Board of SelectmanQ. Why are you qualified for the Board of Selectmen?
A. As a historian who has written several books about Old Lyme, I understand how decisions made long ago, even on matters that were seemingly small at the time, continue to resonate and influence our daily lives. I will bring a broad perspective and awareness to the Board of Selectmen, along with a practical skill set for problem solving, policy analysis, and the tough-minded fiscal prudence that our town requires. As the owner and head chef of a high-volume restaurant, I’ve successfully navigated the Great Recession, the early days of the pandemic, and the disruptions of the re-opening. I know that each day presents a fresh set of challenges that require the ability to adapt to new conditions and forge effective solutions. As a restaurateur, I know how to watch every penny and dime, and I will bring the same tough scrutiny to our town budget, ensuring that residents get the best value for their tax dollar. The education and training that has served me well as a businessman is even more applicable to the job of Selectman. I received my BA in political sociology from Brandeis University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa. I was awarded a Kaplan Fellowship to attend the New School where I received my MA in policy analysis and was inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha, the national honor society for public affairs and administration. I worked on many urban renewal and planning projects in New York City, including the successful redesign of Union Square Park, and served as Director of Development for Community Access, a nonprofit agency building housing for the homeless and mentally disabled. This portfolio of skills along with my ability to listen to the concerns of all stakeholders, renders me uniquely qualified to run for Selectman. |
What are your top 5 priorities for Old Lyme?
- Environmental preservation and protection of natural resources
- Support for our schools and development of additional resources for our town's children and young families
- Encourage of smart development that will support our village districts with neighborhood appropriate housing and retail establishments.
- Attention to impacts of climate change and development of forward-thinking resiliency strategies
- Economic strategies to support our arts, agriculture, business, and health services to strengthen our economic base and community security
What would you like to accomplish during your first three months in office?
-Set a tone and practice of inclusiveness and forward thinking rather than exclusion and resistance.
-Conduct a review and analysis of the current budget to identify appropriate funding levels in terms of current and future need, and identify potential savings and efficiencies.
-Meet with the chairs of all the major commissions and committee in town to get a clear needs assessment and review strategic vision.
-Initiate the development of a strategic plan for Old Lyme, based on views of residents and business owners as identified in the Old Lyme Economic Development Study. (2020)
-Implement policies and initiatives that have wide consensus among residents and the business community.
- Environmental preservation and protection of natural resources
- Support for our schools and development of additional resources for our town's children and young families
- Encourage of smart development that will support our village districts with neighborhood appropriate housing and retail establishments.
- Attention to impacts of climate change and development of forward-thinking resiliency strategies
- Economic strategies to support our arts, agriculture, business, and health services to strengthen our economic base and community security
What would you like to accomplish during your first three months in office?
-Set a tone and practice of inclusiveness and forward thinking rather than exclusion and resistance.
-Conduct a review and analysis of the current budget to identify appropriate funding levels in terms of current and future need, and identify potential savings and efficiencies.
-Meet with the chairs of all the major commissions and committee in town to get a clear needs assessment and review strategic vision.
-Initiate the development of a strategic plan for Old Lyme, based on views of residents and business owners as identified in the Old Lyme Economic Development Study. (2020)
-Implement policies and initiatives that have wide consensus among residents and the business community.
