Remembering The Broken Promises of 2009

After watching this video and carefully examining the state of the city it should be clear that we have been lied to time again. Hopefully the voters this year will not get fooled again!

Milford's First Snow Storm

Early yesterday morning, the neighbors were out en-masse with their shovels and snow blowers. Mother nature dropped Ten inches of snow on our lovely town, turning it into a picturesque New England Community.

The roads were expediently plowed on all major routes, some of the lesser traveled routes were the last to be bailed out. Winter snow plow companies were especially happy, especially with the timing of the storm. In previous years, the snow plow business was hit hard with warmer weather, but according to my snow removal source, Andrew Falcone, in the last few years the snow has been re-surging.

He said we had more snow in New England in the last few years than at any time during the last decade. He expects that 2010 is going to be a colder snowier banner year. He expects the unusually cold weather throughout the nation to travel up to New England.

"Colder weather equals more profits" says Andrew Falcone a residential snow removal company business owner. Andrew intently follows the weather, and often works through the night. Andrew said: "On a storm like this I can reap $15,000.00 in revenue in a 16Hr shift with one truck in one night."

He expects that others will rush to enter the snow removal business as word spreads of the profitability from even small $50-$100 snow removal jobs. Andrew believes that this is going to be a great seasonal business in the years to come and looks forward to purchasing additional plows and trucks as his business expands.

When asked about global warming Andrew laughed, and said "I am no scientist but I believe it's snowing in CT like it always does every winter... if these people are right why is that happening?"

Andrew said "I can't run my business based on the fear that palm trees will be growing on the green, that's just not realistic, Right now I am more concerned with illegal immigrants driving uninsured trucks running illegal businesses that put legal businesses out of business, why is the government not worried about that?"

Mr. Falcone's remarks are certainly not that off the mark, and after hearing about the abject failure of the Copenhagen climate conference there is good reason to believe that the intuition of every day winter workers is "spot on."

Over the last month, and ahead of this storm we heard lots of talk about "Climategate." For those of you who may not know what Climategate is, that was an e-mail leak, resulting in a monumental blow to the Al Gore global warming gang.

While the debate was supposed to be over, few people in Copenhagen "took the bait" the climate conference fell apart, however the basic infrastructure was set up paving the way for a form of global taxation in the name of what is no longer dubbed "global warming" but rather the more elusive "Climate Change."

For all those out there losing sleep over the fear of rising oceans and "Bahamas style" winters here in Milford, you can rest assured that will not be happening in our lifetime. For today we ought to be more concerned with our nation's President violating the Logan Act rather than the chaos of Coppenhagen or the illusion of warmer winters in Milford.

Milford's 8th Annual Lamp Light Stroll Tonight

The Downtown Milford Busness Association is launching its Eighth annual Lamp Light Stroll this Weekend. The event will commence tonight Friday December 4th from 5pm - 9pm and Saturday, December 5th, 10 - 5pm.

As part of this ongoing tradition participants will visit 30 participating stores. Each person who enlists in the program will recieve a passport that you will get stamped.

Once the passport is complete, fill out the back of the passport and leave it at any of the participating shops to be eligible to win one of four baskets filled with downtown Milford surprises, treats, treasures and gift cards!

The event will also have fun family activities including:

* Horse and Carriage rides with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 5:30 to 8:30pm around the green.

* The Yuletide Carolers will be strolling and caroling around downtown.

* Watch for the Town Crier who will be announcing store specials and events!

* Cornerstone Christian Church Choir will be performing on the steps of Milford Photo during the hours of 5:30 to 8:30pm

To visit the official event website CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL INVITATION

Three Candidates For City Clerk Debate The Issues

Just a few short days ago the Plymouth Men's Club put on yet another debate for citizens of Milford. This debate was centered around our local candidates for city clerk and in attendance was Linda Stock, Richard Roy, and Michael Konopka. The guest of honor was certainly Alan Jebson who after many years as our city clerk is retiring.

All the candidates performed well, and Jebson got high regards from all the contenders on stage. Qustions were drawn from the audience, and in tradition with the procedures of the PMC the boy Scouts Helped usher in those questions. In attendance were about 75 people mostly party members and the candidates families.

The video below was filmed by MGAT and is the debate in its entirety. We highly recommend you watch it and vote for the best qualified candidate.

This Weeks Property Transfers

38 Prindle Dr, Glenn A. and Hilary A. Duhaime to Wallace F. and Carol A. Gantter, $450,000.

8 Alana Dr Unit 8, River Brook LLC to Michael Arnone, $250,000.

104 Carriage Path S Unit 104, Robert Sicignano to Tracie Dinette-Caselli, $172,500.

14 Chesterfield Ct, Woodstock Dev LLC to Dana Stournaras, $265,000.

101 E Broadway Unit C, Miller Jeanne Est and Kirk Benn Crocco to Matthew Sisti, $162,000.

8 Julia Ct, Daryle J. and Ronna M. Hiltz to Mark E. and Amber M. Bishop, $400,000.

180 Melba St Unit 201, Ocean Point LLC to Judith L. Stevens, $285,000.

450 Naugatuck Ave Unit 450, Southwind Cove LLC to James G. Savastano, $275,000.

1 Sand St, Richardson Margaret C Est and Michael S. Richardson to Cedar Properties LLC, $75,000.

FOR ASSESSORS DATABASE CLICK HERE

PTA To Sponsor Board Of Education Debate

The Milford Parent Teachers Association will be sponsoring a Debate of the Board of Education Candidates at Jonathan Law High School. The event will be in the main auditorium and will commence at 6:45 P.M. on Thursday October 15th.

Candidates from the Republican Party, Independent Party, and Democratic party are expected to be on stage answering questions.

The nature of the debate will stem around questions from Parents, Teachers, Taxpayers, and Officials. The main points of concern are Funding for programs, Special Education, No Child Left Behind, CAPT's, Test Scores, and School Construction. The debate will also encompass the future of our educational system and opinions on what improvements can and will be made.

Kathy Huber, is in charge of the PTA debate on Thursday anyone with questions or are in need of directions should call 882-0213.

Educational Thoughts From Dick Sieron

There is a crisis in public education in our country today. It is often referred to as "The Dumbing Down of America" and in spite of our comparative prosperity in Milford, it is running rampant here. I recently button holed a few students leaving our Milford high schools at the end of the school day and asked them a couple of questions. I discovered that NO student (only a slight exaggeration) in our Milford schools knows how to divide 51 by three without using a calculator. Most of them do not know how to make change without the aid of a cash register. I also found that only approximately half of our high school students can point to Great Britain on a world map.

Public education has deteriorated severely in the last 50 years. Our grandparents were far better educated than the present generation. Way back in 1957, Admiral Rickover declared that the U.S. Standards of Education were unacceptably low We can only imagine what he would say if he were to come back today. Yes, there are some good students in our Milford public schools, but there will always be some achievers. I would estimate that half our Milford students that enter high school will learn almost nothing in those four years that can help them later in in life. Those students learned how to read and write in grammar school and that was the end of significance for them. A large number of students are dropping out of school. That number was far less 50 years ago.

Milford's education budget today is $110 Million (including state grants). We are certainly not getting our money's worth. We must rid ourselves of what I call the money mentality. That is the practice of throwing money after every problem. The little one room school house of a hundred years ago produced better education then our present multimillion dollar facilities.

Now let me address an incredible situation with our current Board of Education. If you look up the names of the members of the Board of Education on the city website, you will find one member listed as the "Chairman of the Majority Party" and another listed as "Chairman of the Minority Party." You will also find these same titles referred to in newspaper articles.

It is a fact that Board of Ed members vote strictly along party lines. All members of the Democrat party vote one way and the members of the Republican Party vote the other way. Politics, practiced at the school board level is moronic (I tried hard to think of a kinder word than moronic, but it's the only one that seems to be appropriate.) These people appear to be incapable of critical thinking. As a member of the Milford Independent Party, I pledge to cast my vote based on the issues and not based on politics.

I have talked to a number of teachers and they are virtually unanimous advising me that they spend all their time teaching to the state mandated "no Child Left Behind" (NCLB) testing program and have no time for anything else. A stop must be put to that and that will not be easy to do. If Milford stops testing, it will lose millions of dollars from the state and guess where the state gets that money from? Big Brother (the Federal Government), the Fed's are prohibited by the US Constitution from being involved in education. That is the province of the State and local governments. So how do they get around it? They give grants to the states which they in turn pass on to the local governments. I am told that Milford cannot refuse to administer the NCLB tests, without losing ALL state educational grants. That is outrageous.

Teachers tell me that they are forced to teach the students what to think and how to think. A prominent school book publishing executive advises that because they must meet the standards set by each state, the text books, in general, are becoming more alike and the content is specifically associated with the outcome of the NCLB tests. All books are being produced to the same standards, which means that creativity and creative curriculum are lost.

I do not believe that Washington bureaucrats are any smarter than many good citizens here in Milford and we are perfectly capable of finding good textbooks that are not produced using a "cookie cutter." I would like to see textbooks used that explore the thinking of the Founding Fathers and challenge students to ask thoughtful questions.

If elected to the school board, I would advocate giving the Superintendent the broad based guidelines for running the schools on a daily basis and then step back and let him do his job without micromanagement. I do not advocate the same policy for the curriculum. I will be intensely interested in making major changes in that area. There are a number of schools across the country which have made dramatic improvements. We should be examining their methods.

Richard Sieron
District 5, Candidate Board of Education
Milford Independent Party

Anyone voting at Harborside Middle School can vote for Richard Sieron

Weekly Property Transfers

229 Lookout Hill Rd, George T. Hewriah and Pamela A. Morrow to Elizabeth Nemergut, $442,500.

565 Acorn Ln, David and Emily Luxeder to Amy M. and Vincent Bugge, $365,000.

4 Albert St, John and Carol Ann Zampedri to Brandon Macing and Erin Nemeth, $270,000.

77 Broadway, Harry Londono to Catherine L. Hoda, $304,000.

129 Foxwood Close Unit 129, Mindy Ploof to Diane I. Romonosky, $177,000.

19 John St, Walter Regula to Carol E. Knight and Andrew B. Starkweather, $238,000.

83 Kent St, Karen Sando and Countrywide Home Loans to Countrywide Home Loans, $1.

436 Milford Point Rd, Rui F. Goncalves to Christopher J. Piatt, $205,000.

179 Robert Treat Pkwy, Michelle K. Schmidt and Indymac Bank FSB to Indymac Bank FSB, $1.

485 Woodruff Rd, Elaine Marie Fogler to Rachel and Scott Gaudet, $369,000.

SEARCH THE ASSESSORS DATABASE

Today Is Devon Day, Come Show Your Support

Devon Day is a truly unique experience. Every year we gather to celebrate this great community with all its rich culture and history Devon has to offer. This year we are celebrating our 6th annual Devon Day festival. Events will be filled with fun, excitement and enjoyment for all ages! Join us on Sunday, September 13th between the hours of 11:00 am and 7:00 pm at Grove Circle Park. There will be music, food and smiling faces all around as we join together to celebrate Devon.

Devon Day Website is www.devonday.com

Charlie Sheen Requests 9/11 Meeting With President Obama

Actor Charlie Sheen has followed up on his “20 Minutes With The President” letter by directly addressing President Obama in a You Tube clip to request he use his executive power to reopen the investigation into 9/11 and its aftermath.

On Tuesday, Sheen published a fictional account of a meeting with the President on radio talk show host Alex Jones’ Infowars.com and Prison Planet.com websites in which Obama was confronted about what Sheen alleges is a cover-up surrounding 9/11. In his letter, Sheen requests a real meeting with Barack Obama.

Now Sheen has taken his challenge a step further by appearing in a You Tube video that asks Obama to “be on the right side of history” by reopening an investigation into 9/11, while highlighting that the majority of the 9/11 Commission members have publicly dismissed the official government version of the attacks as a deception, with former Senator and Commission member Max Cleland labeling the government response to the Commission’s questions as “disgusting” and “a scam”.

Sheen highlights several issues in the video, including the unexplained collapse of WTC 7, a 47-story building that was not hit by a plane yet collapsed in free fall fashion into its own footprint within 7 seconds later in the afternoon on September 11. He also cites multiple reports from firefighters, police, first responders and others who were at ground zero and who all described explosions before the collapse of the twin towers and Building 7.

He also discusses how former FBI translator Sibel Edmonds broke her gag order to go public with the revelation that Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda were working with the U.S. government right up until the day of 9/11.

Sheen also demands to know why NORAD’s standard operating procedure was not followed on 9/11, allowing the hijacked jetliners to find their targets, asking, “Where were the planes?”

Sheen expresses his hope that President Obama has read his letter, adding, “We have questions Mr. President, lots of questions….people of the United States and the world demand the truth sir,” adding that Obama has the power and the responsibility to initiate “a truly independent Congressional investigation into the events of 9/11 as well as its aftermath.”

“We want our country back Mr. President, therefore I’m not just calling on you I’m calling on your team, I’m calling on each and every American citizen to wake up, stand up, and demand the truth,” states Sheen in the video.

More Republican Drama Fowler Withdraws From The Ballot

The following quote is from the Connecticut Post and Demonstrates that the marred image of the Republican Party continues with Scandals, withdrawals, place keepers, and a desperation to push unwilling candidates on the ballot in the final hours of election deadlines.

The report given to the CT post states that "

Jack Fowler has also indicated that he will withdraw from the race. Working in New York, he doesn't feel he would be able to give the position the time that would be necessary." Fowler, the publisher of The National Review, is a former Board of Aldermen majority leader and a former chairman of the city's Republican Party.

"I was nominated at the convention as a place-keeper after someone who had agreed to run withdrew a few days prior," Fowler said Monday. "My place-keeper status was well-known at the convention. It was also well known amongst Democrats. I would have agreed to run and campaign if no one else had come forward. For a while it looked very much like that was going to be the case," he said.

Fowlers, escape from the malaise of the Republican Party was probably smart given Rhorhig, who was recently investigated, for criminal activity.

The Democrats have been very silent on the Decline of the Republican Party, they, I believe, are saddened by their unfortunate plight and dwindling support base. Some time ago Richard Smith was asked about the Independent Party and he welcomed it, and has been supportive of the Independent Party.

From a Political Strategy, and in the words of their Mayoral Candidate the Independent Party represents two Titan Republicans to them in a "Face Off." So why would they not support the Independent Party.

The Democrats, I believe, are banking on the party schism, drawing sufficient votes from Richetelli to sink his Re-election bid and I believe there is a good chance this will happen.

Rhorig Will Not Seek Re-Election Republicans Face New Challenges

The Thursday night meeting of the Milford Republican Town Committee was in fact an emergency meeting to fill the vacancy left by Board of Education member Rhorig. As many may know the Rhorig's were subjected to a criminal investigation over underage drinking, and on a separate issue were dealing with a sexual assault charge involving her twin sons. Although the police found no wrong doing on the part of Rhorig and school Superintendent Polanski who was at the High School Graduation Party for Chelsea, the pressure, and negative publicity proved too great and in light of these problems her choice to drop out became clear.

Their new choice to replace Rhorig will be announced soon, and is more bizarre than the Republican's opening their Headquarters in the same plaza with the annex to the Independent party Headquarters.

While I plan to comment later on this, I will say that their new candidate to replace Rhorig is unbelievable so check back time to time for details. Sorry to keep you in suspense but I expect that there will be even more backlash toward the Republicans when I reveal what I know.

In the meantime, the Republican Party is still struggling with Defectors, and a dwindling base of support. From the Richetelli Drug Rehab Furlough, to the Rhorigs, to the loss of their former RTC chairman, and many other defectors, it is quite certain that forces within the Republican Party are at work "tearing it apart" and, even when confronted and shown in plain sight they continue to erode their base.

While I wish the best for Milford, I see Richetelli's campaign in real trouble. Last election he barely beat Kerri Rowland in a two way race. This year the Democrats have a much more articulate candidate and the Republicans are in a three way race against their former chairman Peter Spalthoff who is more capable and competent than Richetelli.

Quite sadly the Republicans continue to struggle, mainly because their leadership is weak, their support base fractured, and the greater Republican party as a whole mired in Bush era corruption. But one item really hurting the Richetelli campaign has been its crippling of our schools in Milford. Last year he presided over a panic of 180 teachers being fired, petitions by kids and parents with thousands of signatures and a standing room only protest over the school budget.

This year Richetelli tried to force teachers at Jonathan Law to teach on carts and out of Janitors closets because he refused to support a desperately needed addition. Thankfully the mayor was overruled by a sensible board of Alderman.

In short this mayor has been a menace to public education, and every teacher and student in town should take notice and vote accordingly. When education suffers Milford's kids pay, they pay by failing state tests like the recent embarrassing results of the CAPT test scores putting Milford at the bottom of the state in Math and English.

Milford needs board of education members and a Mayor who believe in building a "world class" school system, not a partisan political machine that puts more "Rich" in Richetelli. As it stands our mayor will cost Milford over Three million dollars in lifelong, pension and family medical benefits if re-elected. Milford cannot afford "Rich"-etelly. Lets remember to vote for our futures this year and not line the pockets of greedy politicians.

Above photo from the Milford Democrats who have a clear plan for the Milford Republicans.

Richetelli Opens New Head Quarters In "Odd" Place

Currently under construction is the Jim Richetelli Head Quarters on New Haven Ave. The location, formerly a exotic fish and coral store, once boasted exotic creatures and animals from all over the world.

Jim Richetelli's HQ is also in the same plaza with the Computerfox, owned and operated by the Milford Independent Parties very own Rocco Frank the First District candidate for the board of education.

While Frank had planned on heavily promoting the Independent Party from this location, including attaching Peter Spalthoff Banners on the side of his Computerfox van, the Richetelli presence will be challenging.

Rocco Frank said that members of the Republican party were very aware that he occupied the Computerfox, and placing their Headquarters in the same plaza is a classic case of "Squatting" on the turf of the Independent Party.

Mr. Frank said, that he finds their choice of a location rather "odd" and somewhat of a "passive aggressive rub" on the part of the Republican party. While they are free to rent where ever they wish, without a doubt the Republicans can expect to be "Rubbing Elbows" with the Independent Party, who also, in the past, has had meetings in that same plaza.

The bigger "Rub" however, has been to ComputerFox.Inc, who for years was contracted with the city to engage in summer computerwork. This year, and after forming the Independent Party, the ComputerFox contract was "mysteriously" cancelled.

Milford Oyster Festival Boasts Success

In the summer of the “staycation,” the 35th annual Milford Oyster Festival offered tens of thousands some old-fashioned family fun, with rides, games and lots of tasty food.

And, of course, oysters.

Festival-goers waited in long, winding lines for a taste of the fried and raw oysters and clams, and — a new addition this year — grilled topped oyster varieties.

Ed Rhodes, a Milford native who lives in Baltimore, and the past executive director of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, which provided the shellfish, estimated they had served more than 20,000 clams Saturday. The group also held a shucking competition, where the winner, William “Chopper” Young of Wellfleet, Mass., shucked 24 oysters in about 1 minute 50 seconds. Young, an oyster grower, was the past champion from two years ago, and came in second place last year, said Rhodes.

For those who don’t enjoy oysters, the festival offered much more. Marines hosted a booth selling strawberry shortcake; the Milford Elks sold lobster. There was also plenty of fried dough, crab cakes, French fries, ice cream, hotdogs and beer.

Katherine Ayala, 6, loved the rides at the Oyster Festival, especially the dragon ride and the Ferris wheel. Her mother, Lidia Ayala, said she comes to the festival to “just relax and watch everybody else walk around.”

“We usually go home and cook,” she admitted.

Bailey Pierce, 3, of Fairfield came to the festival for the first time Saturday, and immediately dragged her parents over to the rides. Bailey’s mom, Brenda Pierce, was pleasantly surprised by the festival, and enjoyed its waterfront setting.

“I like the fact that it’s all spread out,” she said. Next year, she and her husband, Michael, plan to come earlier and spend more time walking around. “I think it’s a great thing for the community.”

But Pierce thought the rides, at $3 each, were too expensive, especially since parents are required to buy an extra ticket to ride with their children.

For some, the convenience of the event drew them.

“It’s close to home. We usually walk down from the house,” said Jaime Johnson of Milford. Her 3 1/2-year-old daughter, Jaiden, likes the merry-go-round and having her face painted.

Jay Pinto of Milford, vice-president of the Milford Oyster Festival Committee, called the turnout this year “phenomenal.” He estimated that about 2,000 to 4,000 people came out on Friday night, and between 50,000 and 60,000 people on Saturday, the final day. “People want to come to an event that doesn’t break the bank,” especially this year, he said. “There’s something for everyone here.”

Pinto said all the vendors —there were more than 80 Saturday — are nonprofits, and “when you spend money here, you’re going to help further their causes,” he said, including several local churches, Little League teams, homeless shelters, centers for medical research and animal shelters.

ORIGINAL LAUREN GARRISON STORY

Meet The Independent Party Today

The following post is taken from the Milford Independent Party website. The invitation is an open invitation aimed at soliciting your support. The Independent party neeeds your help in establishing itself as a permanent party here in town. The majority of registered voters in Milford are Unaffiliated, a defacto decree of Independence from the two party monopoly here in our town. Stop by, donate, get on our candidate list, and offer your help to assure this fledgling party greater success in the future.

"Please join us in front of Shoreline Mortgage at 26 Broad St. on the Milford Green during the Oyster Festival from 10AM to 6PM. Come by to meet your candidates, and show your support at our refreshment stand where you can find bottled water, popcorn, slushies, and more!"

Milford Oyster Fest Set To Launch

The 35th Annual Milford Oyster Festival will be held Rain or Shine on Friday August 14, 2009 from 5pm - 9pm and on Saturday August 15, 2009 from 10am - 6pm. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.

This years event will be in the same location as last year, the Milford Green, and downtown waterfront. For full details about this upcoming event, including merchants, non-profits, amusements and cusine vendors visit the official Oyster festival website at www.milfordoysterfestival.org

Featured at the site are some really great pictures of past years events, including the one pasted at the top of this post.

Milford Ct, Real Estate Values Plummet 9.3% In June

The median sales price for homes in Milford CT for Apr 09 to Jun 09 was $250,000. This represents a decline of 9.3%, or $25,524, compared to the prior quarter and a decrease of 28.2% compared to the prior year. Sales prices have depreciated 10.7% over the last 5 years in Milford.

The average listing price for Milford homes for sale on Trulia was $444,997 for the week ending Jul 22, which represents an increase of 0.8%, or $3,449, compared to the prior week and a decline of 2.2%, or $9,902, compared to the week ending Jul 01. Average price per square foot for Milford CT was $196, a decrease of 19.3% compared to the same period last year. Popular neighborhoods in Milford include and Post Road North.

More Information From Trulia

1300 In Milford Lose Power

Severe thunderstorms that swept through the region this afternoon wreaked havoc with the evening commute, with downpours and heavy winds leaving fallen trees and downed power lines in their wake.

Particularly hard hit was the Milford-New Haven area, with thousands of customers left in dark by electric outages. That area had been under a tornado warning until about 4:30 p.m.

The Merritt Parkway was reported to be shut down in both directions in Trumbull and Orange by trees that fell across the travel lanes, triggering multiple accidents. The Trumbull stretch, which was not expected to be cleared until between 6 and 7 p.m., is between exits 52 and 53. In Orange, the affected section of highway was between exits 55 and 56, but authorities say it was reopened about 5:30 p.m. However, delays were expected to continue indefinitely.

The community with the largest blackout was Milford, where United Illuminating reports that nearly 1,300 customers lost power. In Orange, there were close to 600 outages and in Woodbridge, more than 700 were without electric service.

In the greater Bridgeport area, although tree and wires were felled by the storm, only scattered power outages were reported by early evening.

STORY FROM CT POST

As an addendum to this post it is important to note that record numbers of utility poles were being dug up all over town. The work on these utility poles may have been a factor in the power outage and should be looked into.


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Update Video Of Aftermath

Tornado Warning Issued For Milford Area

The Connecticut Post has just issued a tornado warning for our area. The warning quoted, "has been issued for Northern New Haven County and Middlesex County until 4:30 p.m. Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Naugatuck."

Tornado warnings are a reality in this area, although none have caused any serious problems the video below captures a tornado that touched down in the Long Island Sound off the Milford coast line.

Salvatore Wins Dem's Support Chaucer Demands Primary

Economic Development Commission Chairwoman Genevieve Salvatore easily secured her party’s mayoral nomination Wednesday at the Democratic Town Committee convention.

Salvatore, a local lawyer whose first foray into city politics was her appointment to the Economic Development Commission this year, secured the nomination by a vote of 81 to nine.

“I am taken aback and humbled by the support,” Salvatore said. “This year we are going to finish what we started two years ago. We are going to take back City Hall.”

Salvatore was challenged by Timothy Chaucer, a longtime city preservationist.

Chaucer, who failed in his attempt to gain his party’s backing for mayor, said Wednesday there is a “99 percent chance” he will pursue the nomination and force a primary.

Chaucer said he was not given an opportunity to speak in front of the 1st and 4th District committees, and predicted he would fair better at a primary than he did at the convention.

Chaucer forced a primary in 1987, eventually winning it and general election to become a member of the Planning and Zoning Board.

“The rank and file Democrats know who I am, they know what I stand for,” Chaucer said.

Under state law, if a primary is necessary, it will be held Sept. 15, said City Clerk Alan H. Jepson.

Jepson, who announced in May he will not seek re-election, was first elected city clerk in 1987 and has routinely enjoyed cross-endorsement.

The Democrats chose state Rep. Richard Roy over PZB Vice Chairwoman Kim Rose to replace Jepson as their nominee for city clerk.

New to the ticket for the Board of Aldermen this year is current chairman of the Police Commission, the Rev. Carleton Giles, and Luke Lynch from the 4th and 1st districts respectively.

The Republican slate will be set at its nominating convention Tuesday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Two Republicans were vying for the GOP mayoral nomination. But Wednesday, Republican Town Committee Chairman Tom Jagodzinski announced that former aldermanic Chairman Tom Beirne is no longer challenging four-term Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. for the Republican nomination.

Bierne confirmed he has withdrawn from the race.

Milford residents will also have a third-party choice in November. The Milford Independent Party, with former GOP Town Committee Chairman Peter Spalthoff at the head of the ticket, plans to run candidates for most positions.

James Tinley NH Register

ORIGINAL STORY