Lauretti Wins Mayoral Race, Will Serve 11th Term [Update]

Update: 9:30 p.m.

According to preliminary results, Mark A. Lauretti has been re-elected to his 11th term in office.  

His 6,589 votes beat out Democratic opponent Chris Jones's 3,586.

Also, the registrar of voters office reports that voter turnout was 41.94 percent this year, a decrease from the last election's 45.4 percent. Unfortunately the enthusiasm at the polling stations earlier in the day was not fulfilled.

Update 9:06 p.m.

John "Jack" Finn at the registrar's office has reported that although candidates at the polling centers reported a steady influx of voters, there was actually 1,000 less Shelton residents who voted in comparison to the 2009 election.

As we wait for results to roll in, keep up with the full ballot:

The full ballot is as follows, winners are bolded and marked with an asteric

MAYOR
Chris Jones (D)
Mark A. Lauretti (R)*

BOARD OF ALDERMEN

• First Ward

Vote for any two.

Faith B. Hack (D)
John “Jack” Finn (D)
Anthony F. Simonetti (R)
Gene Kierce (R)

• Second Ward

Vote for any two.

Ralph Matto (D)
Elizabeth A. Ogden (D)
Stanley Kudej (R)
Eric J. McPherson (R)

• Third Ward

Vote for any two.

Remy Steiner Kocurek (D)
Randy Jennings D)
John F. Anglace Jr. (R)
Lynne S. Farrell (R)

• Fourth Ward

Vote for any two.

David M. Gioiello Jr. (D)
Bob Lally (D)
Noreen McGorty (R)
John Papa (R)

CITY TREASURER
James E. Calkins (D)
Raymond O’Leary (R)

BOARD OF APPORTIONMENT AND TAXATION
Vote for any six.

Judson Crawford (D)
Wayne Bragg (D)
Jimmy Tickey (D)
Christopher Besescheck (R)
Charlotte Madar (R)
John Belden (R)

BOARD OF EDUCATION
Nine to be elected. No more than five from one party. Vote for any nine.

Kate Kutash (D)
James E. Orazietti  (D)
Timothy Walsh (D)
Michael Pacowta (D)
Joe Knapik (D)
Arlene Liscinsky (D)
John J. Francino-Quinn  (R)
Bernie Simons (R)
Thomas Minotti (R)
Kathy Yolish (R)
Mark Holden (R)
Win Oppel  (R)

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Vote for any six. Six will be elected. No more than four from any political party.

Elaine Matto (D)
Ludwig Spinelli (D)
Joan Flannery (D)
John “Jay” Zikaras (D)
Ruth Parkins (R)
Virginia Harger (R)
Thomas McGorty (R)
Anthony Pagoda (R)

PLANNING AND ZONING ALTERNATES
Two will be elected. No more than one from any party. Vote for any two.

Nancy Dickal (D)
Josh Kopac (R)

LIBRARY DIRECTORS

Vote for any two.

Harriet Finn (D)
Joan Feeley (D)
Ronald Schlegel (R)
Janice Greiser (R)

Original Story

stood outside for hours, greeting voters as they entered the polls and thanking them as they left.

Hack, a Democrat running for 1st Ward Alderwoman, has been setting up shop outside her polling station like most other candidates, hoping to rouse enthusiasm and campaign for extra votes.

Patch ran into (D - 4th Ward Board of Aldermen), (R - 4th Ward Board of Aldermen), Wayne Bragg (D - Board of Appottionment and Taxation) and Mark Holden (R - Board of Education).

Hack said that voter turnout has been "enourmous," and that she had been hearing the same reaction at other polling locations. "We may have broken a record for the amoung of people that came out," she said.

As of 6:30 p.m., Peter Pavone at the registrar's office reported that 8,385 of 23,510 (36 percent) registered citizens had cast their ballots.

Over at Mohegan School, election workers Ann M. and Linda S. echoed Hack's sentiments. Linda was especially excited to see a lot of new voters of all ages. "I was happy to see a lot of them, especially the younger people. It's good to see everyone get involved no matter how old they are," she said.

Holden said he is "reasonably confident" at this point. "Hopefully people have been paying attention to local issues and candidates and we will win."

Ryan Gentile, who strolled into the Mohegan School polling station around 6 p.m., said that even in the final hours, it is important for citizens to be involved. "I think people need to be responsible and aware if they want to see changes," he said.

Stick with Shelton Patch as numbers and updates come in!