In Pictures: The 2009 Democratic Caucus

There were no contested nominations during the lightning fast town Democratic caucus, which drew just a few dozen Democrats to the Town Hall auditorium and lasted less than an hour Monday night.

Sitting Selectman Sally Hines accepted the nomination for First Selectman by delivering a laundry list of issues she expects the town to face next year, from “unrelenting” budget pressures to swine flu and development in the town center.

Democrats nominated incumbents Jim Kucharczyk and Penny Rashin to return to the school board.  

Countering the fiscal focus of Republican candidates, Kucharczyk underscored the need for Democrats to give attention to continuing the quality of education in New Canaan Schools.

“We need to keep the value side of that equation in mind, as well as keeping a tight eye on the costs,” he said.

He suggested the school board could cut costs by streamlining the grade tracking systems across education levels, and could help prepare students for life after high school by ensuring the curriculum includes lessons on how to set up a budget and how to decide between leasing or buying a car.

Rashin looked forward to the rollout of the Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools (FLES) program this year.

As the caucus hurdled on, Ed Vollmer accepted another nod as Constable, “I accept the nomination and I will continue to guard the bridges,” he said. Newcomer Wendy Fog accepted nomination to the Board of Assessment Appeals without leaving her seat.

Incumbents Chris Hussey and Kit Devereaux were nominated to the Democratic slate for Town Council. No one stepped forward to brave a challenge against longstanding Republicans Town Clerk Claudia Weber and Treasurer V. Donald Hersam, Jr.