Local Democrats Using E-Blasts, Web,

Social Media To Reach Voters

By John Voket

Newtown Democrats are relying on a high profile and well-established location for their 2011 headquarters, while turning to information technology and social networking to help familiarize local voters with their slate of candidates and their political positions.

According to Democratic Town Committee Chairman James Juliano, the Democrats are in the process of moving into offices at 33 Main Street, at the corner of West Street and in the shadow of Newtown’s most famous landmark — the flagpole.

“We’re planning on finalizing our move-in Saturday and will have an open house soon after,” Mr Juliano said. DTC members and local Democrats are also invited to the headquarters September 24 from noon to 3 pm to check out the new offices.

The Democrats are also using e-mail blasts to send colorful and comprehensive notices to those in their correspondence database, introducing members on their ticket this November. The first notice, dispatched on September 19, featured Mr Juliano who is a Town Hall Board of Managers contender.

According to his introduction, Mr Juliano has served Newtown as Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers chairman since 2010, and a board member since 2006. He has also been a member of the Public Building and Site Commission since 2001, and served the maximum allowable term on the community’s Economic Development Commission.

“I would like to see the Edmond Town Hall be refurbished, maintained and utilized to its full potential,” Mr Juliano said in the announcement.

To date he has coordinated and supervised the new kitchen, coordinated and supervised the remodel of the space occupied by the Lathrop School of Dance, arranged for and coordinated the installation of a new air-conditioning and heating unit for the theater, air-conditioned the Mary Hawley Room, and arranged to have the boilers retubed at a fraction of the cost to maintain than to replace.

“Recently I arranged to have the ceiling tiles in the gym replaced and the ceiling and walls painted,” Mr Juliano stated. “I also believe that this building can be financially independent with proper management and its purpose should be flexible to serve the community in various ways. If this can be accomplished, the Edmond Town Hall would be a true asset to Newtown.”

The DTC’s website (newtownctdemocrats.org) opens with a video featuring Representative Chris Lyddy introducing Board of Selectman candidate James Gaston, and includes remarks he recently made at a campaign kickoff meet and greet in the borough.

Pull-down menus bring visitors to Democratic positions on issues including Fairfield Hills and the Pootatuck Aquifer. The site also provides links to help visitors either register to vote or to change voting record information, along with a full listing and bios on all the Democratic candidates on the Newtown ballot this fall.

 The Newtown Democrat’s Facebook site also features updated information, photos, and even a post from Mr Gaston’s Independent Party of Newtown opponent, Po Murray. She wrote on the site September 18 saying, “As you know, I was a registered Democrat in the past. I am very interested in your platform and your campaign. I am looking forward to learning more.”