Noon Greenwich voter total update

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Republicans still hold a sizable edge in total voters as of noon.

According to unofficial totals from the town, 1,373 Republicans, or over 10 percent of the 13,448 total registered GOPers in town, have cast ballots at the town’s 12 polling places. For Dems, 820 voters, or just under 9 percent of the 9,126 Dems registered in town, have voted.

Combining Republicans and Democrats, 2,201, 0r under 10 percent of the 22,574 registered GOPers and Dems, have voted.

Between Republicans and Democrats, the polling place with the highest total of voters is District 8 (Central Middle School) with 277. That’s over 11 percent of its 2,448 registered GOP and Dem voters. District 3 (Western Middle School) has seen the fewest voters, with 55, or just over 6 percent of its 896 registered GOPers and Dems, voting.

Categories: General

Lessons in democracy

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A voter at the Black Rock polling station this morning was ready to drop his primary ballot into the collection reader when he noticed something amiss — the previous voter had not pushed the paper ballot through.

Our voter called someone over for help, but not before noticing that his choices were being canceled out by his predecessor.

Polling officials made sure both ballots were scanned.

Categories: General

No surprise: GOPers beating Dems to Greenwich polls

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Greenwich Republicans are heading to the polls for Tuesday’s primary elections in greater numbers than their Democratic counterparts.

As of 11 a.m., 1,131 Republicans had cast their ballots at the town’s 12 polling places, compared with 649 for the Dems, both unofficial totals provided by the town. According to the town’s registrars of voters, there are 13,448 registered Republicans in Greenwich, while there are 9,126 registered Democrats.

Breaking it down by district for the Republicans: District 11 (North Street School — where GOP U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon voted this morning) has seen the most activity with 139 voters; followed by District 8 (Central Middle School) with 132 voters; District 7 (Greenwich High School — Dem governor candidate Ned Lamont’s polling place) had 123; District 5 (Riverside School) with 116; District 12 (North Mianus School) with 112; District 10 (Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center) had 96; District 9 (also at Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center) had 95; District 6 (Old Greenwich School) had 93; District 2 (Town Hall) had 76; District 1 (Julian Curtiss School) had 75. Lagging behind are District 4 (New Lebanon School) with 48 and District 3 (Western Middle School) with 26. The districts have the two lowest totals of registered Republicans among the town’s 12 voting districts. Hourly voter count percentage are pretty steady across the 12 polling places for Republicans. Districts 5, 7, 8, 9 and 12 are all at or above 9 percent. Districts 3 and 4 are around 6 percent.

District breakdown for the Democrats: District 5 leads the way with 86 voters; District 8 is second with 83; District 6 has 76; District 1 has 63; District 9 has 56; District 12 has 54; District 7 has 50; District 11 has 46; District 2 has 42; Districts 4 and 10 are tied with 38; and District 3 has 17. District 5 also is tops in hourly voter count percentage, as voters are coming out at a nearly 12 percent clip. District 3 is on the low end with over 3 percent.

Overall, Greenwich Republicans are voting at an over 8 percent rate, while Dems are close behind with over 7 percent.

And of Greenwich’s 22,574 total registered Republicans and Democrats, 1,788 had voted as of 11 a.m.

Categories: General

Sports is a shared ground for politicians

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Although they aren’t on the primary ballot two state representative candidates busied themselves greeting voters outside Central Middle School.

Alfred Camillo, R-151, and his Democratic challenger, first-time candidate Claude Johnson, each spent several hours outside the school while keeping a careful 15-20 feet away from one another.

It was Peter Berg, a Democrat and District 8/Cos Cob Representative Town Meeting member, who acted as the social glue between the two men.

He would spend a few minutes with Johnson, and Stephen Ng, a fellow Cos Cob RTM member and Johnson volunteer, and then wander over to talk with Camillo.

Camillo was accompanied by Republican volunteer Linda Moshier.

But all men gathered in a circle when the talk turned to  sports, specifically football, after Camillo, a Pittsburgh Steelers fan discovered Berg was from Pittsburgh.

It got more interesting when they talked baseball and the name Dick Stuart came up, a home-run hitting first baseman with the Pirates in the 1950′s and early 1960′s.

“Hey he was married to my cousin,” Camillo said as he reminisced about a player whose defensive deficiencies earned him the nickname “Dr. Strangelove,” a play on a movie’s name.

But Berg always remembered why they were present, occasionally breaking away from discussions by suddenly calling out, “Voter, voter,” and walked over to a new voter.

Categories: General

Police probe ‘harassing phone calls’ to Lamont’s home

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Several Greenwich police officers were dispatched to the home of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont Monday morning after police said he received a series of harassing phone calls.

Lt. Kraig Gray, spokesman for the police department, said officers responded to the Ashton Drive home around 11 a.m., to investigate the calls.

“Police responded on a report of harassing phone calls,” said Gray. “Due to the high-profile nature of the reporting party, we also made some follow-up calls to federal agencies to consult. We wanted to be as diligent as possible.

Gray said while the calls were reported as “harassing,” they appeared to be “prankish” in nature and involved someone telling Lamont to drop out of the race. Gray did not provide any specifics about the caller or how may calls were placed to Lamont.
The harassing phone calls were reported one day before Tuesday’s primary elections in which Lamont is seeking to beat out fellow Democratic candidate Dan Malloy, the former mayor of Stamford.

Gray said police consulted with federal agencies because they have more experience in handling investigations surrounding politicians.

Gray did not disclose whether Lamont made the phone call reporting the incident to police. No one has been arrested in connection with the incident. Police said the investigation is continuing. Lamont’s campaign communications director declined comment.

Categories: General

Malloy’s common touch reaches Greenwich voter

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Dannell Malloy, the former Stamford mayor who is running against Greenwich’s Ned Lamont to be the Democratic candidate for governor, earned the vote of a Greenwich resident by concentrating on one of the basic tasks of any politician – listening and talking to people.
“He was nice to my mother,” said Dion Lowery shortly after he voted for Malloy instead of Greenwich resident Ned Lamont at Central Middle School in Greenwich.

But that comment isn’t as simplistic as it sounds.

Lowery said his late mother Marcy, had a concern when she was moving into the Mill River  condos in Stamford about five-six years ago. She had moved to Stamford from Bethel to be closer to her family in Greenwich, said Lowery.

He said Malloy listened intently to his mother’s concerns and took them seriously.

“He spent five minutes with her talking about it and he didn’t have to. He didn’t know who she was,” he said.

Lowery said Malloy’s action that day left a deep impression on him and he was also impressed with how Malloy ran Stamford.

“I think he had a good record. It looks better today than what it used to be before he took it over,” he said.

Lowery, who was accompanied by his wife Leslie, was not as impressed with Lamont.

Both he and his wife said they didn’t like what they called Lamont’s negative campaign.

Categories: General

Dems split, Republicans backing McMahon, Foley

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Republicans coming out of polling stations in Greenwich are confident about the party nominated candidates for governor and senator.

“I like Linda McMahon,” said Mark Schroeder. “She grew a great business and she has a lot of courage. The same goes for Foley.”
William Anderson Jr., echoed those sentiments. “I voted for all the backed candidates,” said Anderson. “They have already been vetted.”

When it came to the Democratic choice for governor, however, voters were more split.

Steve Candland, a businessman from Greenwich, said he came to the polls to support Dan Malloy. “I guess my main issue is I am here to support Dan Malloy,” said Candland. “He has paid his dues to Connecticut.”

Candland said he was also proud to back Blumenthal. “He’s another guy who has stood up for the state and the country.”
Barbara Wells said she too felt Malloy had the experience for the job. “He’s the most qualified person for the job above and beyond anyone else,” Wells said. “He did a great job with Stamford.”

Candland and Wells said they were happy to support candidates using public financing.
However, one voter, who declined to be named, said he voted for Lamont at the last minute due to a change of heart.
“I read how he cleaned up crime in the city, but I realized he just moved it to the West side,” said the man.

Most voters said they thought it was great so many candidates were from Greenwich this election cycle.

Categories: General

Foley and Lamont stop at GHS

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Republican Gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley and his wife greeted voters outside Greenwich High School Tuesday morning where he said he felt good about his chances of winning.

Foley said he was working his way upstate for a victory party later tonight.
“I’ve been traveling around the state for over a year now and people want new leadership and a new direction,” said Foley.

Ned Lamont, a Democratic candidate for governor, appeared shortly after, around 8 a.m., to cast his ballot in the race. He was greeted by a dozen supporters holding signs and several media outlets. On his way in Foley asked, “Ned, will you vote for me,” as the two laughed and shook hands, wishing each other luck.

Lamont also came to the aid of a cameraman who fell over while walking backwards to film Lamont. After casting his ballot, Lamont said he was ready to change to “status quo up in Hartford.”

“We can turn this state around and get people back to work,” Lamont said. “That’s why I am running.”

As of 8 a.m., just over 25 people had voted in both parties.

Categories: General