Meet The DTC-Endorsed Municipal Election Candidates

BRANFORD, CT — A former president of Branford Little League, one of the town's first EMTs and a member of the Branford Community Foundation's board of directors are among the candidates endorsed by the Branford Democratic Town Committee for the Nov. 2 municipal election.

The DTC made their endorsements on July 22, Kevin Coughlin, chair of the Branford Democrats, said in a news release. The group endorsed Tom Brockett for first selectmen, Ray Dunbar for second selectman, Eileen Poulton Cimino for town clerk, Kurt Schwanfelder for treasurer and Roberta Gill-Brooks for tax collector.

Brockett leads the Democratic caucus in the Representative Town Meeting, where he is serving his second term representing the 7th district. He is a lifelong Branford resident who graduated from Branford High School and has served as coach, umpire and president of Branford Little League.

Brockett pursued a career in the practice of labor law and is now retired, according to the news release. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War, and he and his wife, Carolyn, raised their three children in the town.

"I am honored to have the nomination to lead this incredible group of Branford residents and to work as a team to build a better Branford," Brockett said in a statement. "Branford has been my home for my family for generations and we have supported our town and our neighbors through thick and thin. I know better days lie ahead for Branford if we work together, listen to the community, communicate with one another, and focus on growing our economy."

Ray Dunbar is currently Branford's second selectman, and has served the town for decades. He worked for the Branford Police Department for 34 years – recently retiring as captain – and was both a volunteer firefighter with Co. 5 in Stony Creek and one of the town's first EMTs.

He has had multiple stints as an elected member of the RTM, serving from 1997 to 2005 and again from 2017 to 2019. He, his wife, Cindy, and their two daughters are all graduates of Branford Public Schools.

"Branford needs hands-on leadership starting at the top," Dunbar said in a statement. "Tom and I are both veterans and understand the importance of public service and giving back. Now we want to serve the people of this town we love and are committed to doing better for every resident of Branford."

Town clerk nominee Eileen Poulton Cimino has served as Branford's assistant town clerk since 2015, Coughlin said. She is a fourth-generation town resident – her great-grandfather owned the Short Beach Waiting Station.

Poulton Cimino is a Branford High School graduate who worked as a goldsmith, was the marketing director for The Hearth at Gardenside senior living facility and has owned and operated Funderful Face Painting, LLC since 2009.

"With my years of experience in the Town Clerk's office I'll be ready to serve the people of Branford on day one," Poulton Cimino said in a statement. "My family has been in Branford for four generations so I understand the importance of a responsive and friendly Town Clerk's office. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the town I love."

Kurt Schwanfelder, Branford's current treasurer, represented the 1st district in the RTM for 22 years – serving as chair of the RTM Public Services Committee and holding both majority and minority positions during his tenure, the news release said.

He was born and raised in Branford and has also served as a police commissioner, member of the Board of Finance, and on the Board of Assessment appeals, in addition to being the owner and operator of Britain's Automotive in Branford for over 49 years.

"Serving as Treasurer has allowed me to bring together both my experience in town government and as a small business owner," Schwanfelder said in a statement. "I could not be more excited for the knowledgeable and accomplished group we have running for office this year."

Roberta Gill-Brooks, known as "Bobi," is currently serving her second term as tax collector. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Branford Community Foundation, is a notary public and justice of the peace, and is the first Black woman to run for and win an elected position in Branford, according to the news release.

Prior to her career as tax collector, Gill-Brooks was an executive in customer service and executive training for SNET/SBC/AT&T, where she was employed for 32 years.

"In addition to our regular roles and responsibilities, I am proud of the positive, responsive, and customer-focused atmosphere at our office. I serve the people and as Tax Collector I work every day to ensure everyone in my department is a friendly face you can count on at Town Hall," Gill-Brooks said in a statement. "I am so appreciative of the opportunity to continue to be Branford's Tax Collector and am excited to work with this team toward victory this November."