Republican Adam W. Dunsby narrowly defeated write-in challenger Valarie J. Buckley to become Easton’s First Selectman. In a race that saw a 34-percent increase in voter turnout from two years ago, Dunsby secured 1,057 votes to Buckley’s 944 write-in votes.
Tonight’s election registered 2,351 ballots cast, up from 1,754 in 2011. Election Moderator Cheryl Everett described the turnout as, “Heavy for a municipal election.”
“It was a hard campaign. We worked hard,” Dunsby said. “We went door-to-door, meeting the voters of Easton.”
Due to all of the write-in candidates, a hand count was required with final results not announced by the moderator until 12:20 a.m.
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Asked what made the difference in the tight race, Dunsby replied, "My background in education as the chair of the Board of Education. We also got support of Republicans and some crossover from Democrats.”
Dunsby said he will work to ensure that Easton maintains its rural feel. “We continually have developers who want to come into Easton. We want to protect Easton and remain non-commercial," he said.
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Dunsby is currently chairman of the Easton Board of Education and chairman of the Republican Town Committee. He is a prior chairman of the town’s Conservation Commission. In September, Dunsby left the Stamford firm he founded, Summerhaven Investments Management, to focus on his campaign.
Buckley ran on a write-in candidacy with the Easton Coalition. She is also a registered Republican and has served as director of the Easton Senior Center for 25 years. Buckley is a professor of ethics and religion at Sacred Heart University.
To vote for Buckley, voters had to both fill in the bubble on the bottom row of their ballot for write-in votes and write "Valarie Buckley" in the write-in box for the first selectman.
Two hundred and forty six ballots were determined to be blank. Supporters of the write-in candidates were disappointed in Election Moderator Cheryl Everett’s decision not to count "blank" ballots. "In order for a ballot to count, a bubble must be filled in," Everett said.
Republicans had a strong night across the ballot. The Second Selectman position was won by Republican Scott S. Centrella with 1,044 votes, while Democrat Robert H. Lessler won the Third Selectman spot with 665 votes.
Although Buckley had more votes than Lessler, she is a registered Republican and one of the three seats must be filled by a member of another party.
A New Easton Town Clerk
In another closely watched race, Republican Diana Christine Halloran received 982 votes to win the position of Town Clerk. Halloran beat write-in candidate and incumbent Town Clerk Derek Buckley, who received 672 votes, and Democratic challenger Paul N. Coppinger who had 570 votes.
"I'm excited about serving the town of Easton," Halloran said. "This is the start of earning the support and trust of the people of Easton."
Starting Right Away
In September, incumbent Republican First Selectman Tom Hermann announced his decision not to seek a fourth term. Hermann dropped out of the race, citing an increase in work and travel responsibilities due to his business.
Dunsby takes office as First Selectman on Wednesday, November 6, immediately following the election. "It was a long night, but I feel great," he said. "I look forward to going to town hall tomorrow and getting to work."
All of the Results
First Selectman
(R) Adam W. Dunsby 1057
Valerie J. Buckley (Easton Coalition Party) 944
Selectman
(R) Scott S Centrella 1044
(D) Robert H. Lessler 665
Write-in John W. Bromer 261
Write-in Robert Webbe 145
Town Clerk
(R) Diana Christine Halloran 982
(D) Paul N. Coppinger 570
Write-in W. Derek Buckley 672
Town Treasurer
(R) Wendy Bowditch 986
(D) Michael S. Kivell 587
Write-in Randy Shapiro 665
Tax Collector
(R) Christine Calvert 1418
(D) Jonathan E. Rosenthal 692
Board of Finance (Two Positions)
(R) Andrew R. Kachele 1406
(R) Christian Griffin 1399
(D) Gabriel B. Rossi Jr. 915
Board of Education
(R) Randy Hicks 961
(D) Regina B. Bobroske 706
Write-in Shaun Malay 512
Board of Assessment Appeals
(R) John Miranda 1517
Zoning Board of Appeals
(R) Charles W. Lynch 1221
(D) Patricia Berlin 829
Constables (4 Positions)
(R) George A. Beno 1126
(R) John L. Johnston 1158
(R) Joseph Silhavy 1129
(R) William Lane 1016
(D) David P. Katz 836
(D) Irving Silverman 1089
(D) Richard F. Greiser 949
(D) Gloria Bindelglass 896
Library Trustees
(R) Gail V. Gay 1246
(D) Janet Gordon 896
Regional Board of Education (Two Positions)
(R) Todd Johnston 1174
(R) Catherine Gombos 1267
(D) Heidi D. Armster 887
(D) Andrea L. Kingsley 856
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