DEMS PUSH OUT REPUBLICANS
Democrats swept to victory in the Groton Town Council race on Tuesday, winning all nine seats and ousting seven incumbents. Winners were Lian Obrey, David Atwater, Rita Schmidt, Rich Moravsik, Rachel Franco, Patrice Granatosky, Conrade Heede, Juliet Parker, and Joe Zeppieri. While the Democrats were jubilant last night, Republicans gasped and stood in stunned silence at their Republican headquarters as results were announced district by district. The GOP says they think they may have been victims of Trump backlash.
NYSTROM RETURNS TO MAYOR
The GOP has regained the mayor’s seat in Norwich. Four years after losing to Democrat Deb Hinchey, Republican Peter Nystrom once again is the top-elected official in the city, defeating four other challengers yesterday. Nystrom says his party gained majority rule on the city council two years ago, pledging a cut in taxes, and the message seems to resonate well with voters. Democratic hopeful Derell Wilson, in his first run for public office, finished second, says he’ll run again for office. Democrats gained one seat on the city council with all three Republican incumbents winning too.
OLSEN RETURNS
Democrats win six of the seven seats on the New London city council. Incumbent Don Venditto says the next two years are about finding ways to stabilize taxes. Council President Anthony Nolan was the leading vote getter. Three other Democratic incumbents were re-elected. John Satti, Efrain Dominguez, and Michael Tranchida will be joined by political newcomer Alma Nartatez and Republican Marty Olsen. Olsen lost re-election two years ago by three votes.
END IT ALREADY
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Some of Connecticut’s largest employers are calling on Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Hartford HealthCare to immediately resolve a contract dispute they say is disrupting care for many patients. A letter was sent Tuesday to presidents of both entities from state Comptroller Kevin Lembo, the chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council which owns and operates the Mohegan Sun casino, two top officials from West Hartford and the executive director of a group representing union health benefits funds. Anthem and Hartford HealthCare both failed to reach an agreement last month on a new three-year contract. Due to the missed deadline, state patients insured through Anthem are considered out-of-network and now face higher out-of-pocket costs. The employers are warning how their workers are frustrated and are finding alternative providers.
CGA HONORS VET
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – The United States Coast Guard Academy is honoring a 1965 graduate for the role he played in a combat mission during the Vietnam War. Kent Williams led a patrol boat that helped to turn back an enemy attack on an American naval unit on the beach one night in 1969. On Thursday, the 74-year-old Williams will be inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the academy in New London . He spent 32 years in the Coast Guard and retired as a vice admiral. Williams says he remembers the night in Vietnam as another mission in his lengthy Coast Guard career. He says, “Part of what we do is we go into harm’s way.” For his service in Vietnam, Williams was awarded a Bronze Star and cited for courage under fire.
