Election Day is Here

The voter turnout Tuesday appears to be lower than it was for recent state and federal elections, but it is only about 1.5 percent below the last municipal election, said Republican Registrar of Voters Mary Ann Doran.

"Voting has been steady, no lines Doran said. She was referring to the 10 a.m. count when she said it was off 1.5 percent.

The only real change in today's voting that might surprise voters is the third ward polling place, Broadview Middle School, moved to Stadley Rough Elementary School on Karen Road.

Other than that, Former City Council Member Paul McAllister is running against Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton for the mayor's seat. McAllister served for four terms on the city council, and he lost his bid for reelection in 2003 in a broad Republican sweep.

"Paul is running a real race for mayor and he's running a real race for city council," said Joe DaSilva, Democratic Town Committee Chairman. "It's possible we could pick up a seat on the council."

DaSilva said Bob Taborsak is running a good campaign for city council at large, and some big names in Danbury, both former Mayor Gene Eriquez and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy made calls to Danbury Democrats in the last couple of days reminding them to vote.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said he knew about the calls and it surprised him those calls asked voters to support the Democratic party's board of education candidates.

"They didn't mention the mayor," Boughton said. "I don't really know what their strategy is. It almost looks like you've bot everyone working on their own thing. It doesn't look like a team."

If Boughton wins Tuesday, his seventh victory, Boughton will make city history as the longest serving mayor.

Town Clerk Lori Kaback was nominated for reelection, and the Republicans nominated John Whitcomb as their town clerk candidate.

The Democrats did not put anyone forward for treasurer. The Republicans nominated incumbent Daniel Jowdy as treasurer.

For the first ward, the Republicans nominated Irving Matthew Fox, and John Priola. The Democrats nominated Dennis Perkins and Richard Kovacs.

In the second ward, the Republicans nominated Vinny DiGilio and Elmer Palma. The Democrats picked Helena Abrantes and Bill Taylor to run for the second ward. The Republicans are running Council President Joe Cavo and Chris Arconti in the third ward. The Democrats did not nominate candidates in the third ward.

In the fourth ward, the Republicans nominated Andrew DaCunha and Matthew Kennedy. The Democrats named Peter Nero and Tom Saadi, both incumbents, to run in the fourth ward.

The Democrats named Fred Visconti and Duane Perkins, both incumbents, to run in the fifth ward. The Republicans nominated Daniel Kolwicz and William Nicol in the fifth ward.

The Democrats picked Ben Chianese and Paul Rotello, incumbents, to run in the sixth ward. In the sixth ward, the Republicans nominated Steven Froehlich and Daniel Metrena.

The Democrats ran no one in the seventh ward. In the seventh ward, the Republicans nominated Marina Loyola and Joseph Scozzafava.

The Republican at-large city council candidates, all incumbents, are Phil Curran, Michael Haddad Sr., Jack Knapp, Warren Levy, Gregg Seabury, Colleen Stanley and Andrew Wetmore. The Democratic party challengers are Frank Anders, Andrea Gartner, Al Almeida, Robert Taborsak, Dev Patel, Paul McAllister and Henry Hall. McAllister is running both for city council and for mayor.

For the Board of Education, the Democrats nominated Rich Janelli and Kathleen Molinaro. The Republicans nominated Eileen Alberts, Charles Alpuche, Gary Falkenthal, Michael Ferguson and Ralph Pietrafesa.

For the Zoning Commission, the Democratic party nominated Ken Gucker, Ted Haddad, Rich Jowdy and Jim Kelly. The Republican party nominated Jeffrey Barath, Christina Chieffalo, Sally Estevan, Jeffrey Giegler, Alan Kovacs, Robert Laber, Robert Melillo, Carlos Valenzuela and Annette Zatkovich.

For the Zoning Commission Alternate, the Democrats nominated Bill Tanner. For the Zoning Commission Alternates, the Republican party nominated Robert Arconti, Kevin Haas and Robert Oravetz.

For constable, the Republican party nominated Michael Esposito, Louise McMahon and Michael Safranek. The Democrats nominated Bruce Lees, Fran Kieras and Butch Coladarci.