With ongoing coronavirus restrictions, the annual Barkhamsted Independence Parade could not be held for concerns of social distancing among viewers, as noted in a previous post on this website. People came out to wave to the caravan procession and many wore patriotic clothing and waved American flags. Here are some photos. God Bless America, and our Founding Fathers who gave our Republic its brilliant Constitution of the United States which grants all people liberty.
Many newspapers have written about our small town Independence Day Parade each year hosted by the Lions Club, and always only held on the Fourth of July. They also always write how it is a Norman Rockwell occasion, back to the days of peaceful times. This year is different, however, with coronavirus restrictions in some states that still require face masks, social distancing, restaurant closings and work-from-home mandates.
Town leaders decided they were concerned about parade viewers not social distancing enough and chose not to hold the annual popular venue. The Barkhamsted Lions Club said to contact the town hall for any information.
Barkhamsted RTC Chair, Juliana Simone, contacted the town hall, and was told the Lions Club was going to have a caravan that drove through the vast area of the town, split across the Barkhamsted Reservoir, and the drive was going to last about an hour and twenty minutes. She was told the Lions Club decided they wanted no political floats or participants this year.
The discussion inferred that only regular annual participants could partake, and when Simone noted their Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee’s regular presence, was told the Democrat TC could not either, as politics (paraphrasing) were not a feel good thing at this time. Boy and Girl Scouts, Historical Society, local churches – all good.
Understandable, with statues of amazing Generals, Presidents, Founders, Priests, Emancipators and even symbolic icons on commercial items which have been or are being removed. It is these people all the citizens of the United States of America, or who are awaiting citizenship, owe their life of freedom to today and should celebrate on July 4th.
Thank you to our Vice Chair, Dave Moulton, for calling Barkhamsted’s First Selectman Don Stein (D) and debating with him the eligibility issue of who could partake – i.e. if the three Board of Selectman elected officials could have a car in the caravan, then any elected official could – State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-8), and sitting State Representative William Simanski (R-62).
He also further argued any running candidate regardless of party affiliation could also have a car in the caravan. Stein eventually agreed, but to my knowledge at this post, the RTC’s cannot participate. Our RTC wanted a car to proudly show our support of President Donald J. Trump who wants to Make America Great Again.
For those who want to see the caravan, here is the route and the times applied to destinations. God Bless America.
The Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee recently endorsed during a video conference call (following Coronavirus restrictions) the following candidates: Mark Anderson for State Representative (62-R), (due to the retirement of State Representative William Simanski) and Susan Day, as our long serving Registrar of Voters (R). BRTC treasurer and Steven Blackburn has been appointed to the BAA full seat, after serving as an alternate for years. Fine patriot and BRTC member, Tom Palmer, left a vacancy on the BAA after recently moving out of town. He kept a close watch on the Regional 7 budget for years, but was unable to make any needed changes in transparency. Mike Stewart, our newly appointed BRTC Secretary who is a retired businessman but now owns a local specialty food business, will replace Blackburn as the BAA alternate. Congratulations to all.
June 18, 2020 – In Canton, Connecticut, at the home of State Senator Kevin Witkos (R-8), many district town chairs, vice chairs, state central members, supporters and staff showed up to give their support to the the eighth district Senator who has held this seat since 2008. He served two terms in the House before joining the Senate, and was a member of his town’s BOE in Canton, before running for state office. Barkhamsted RTC Chair, Juliana Simone, worked as a volunteer for nine months to help transition Witkos from the State House to State Senate.
Outside of his political career, he was a police sergeant for 28 years, and has been working for Eversource, a Connecticut electric utility company, since 2012. The State Senator also owned and operated a restaurant in the Collinsville section of Canton called “Wilson’s” for around five years. He is married to his wife Esther. They have two adult children.
With a Democrat challenger running against him for a third consecutive time, despite previous losses, Witkos told those assembled at the gathering that federal money was being funded into his opponent’s campaign. This has become more and more common in our state and others for federal money to be funneled into the smallest of local elections for an overall gain in their favor.
For those who want to contribute to the Witkos Campaign, please click here:
https://secure.anedot.com/witkos2020/donate
House Republican researcher, John Vamos, who has a long history of Witkos support, and was assigned to BRTC’s Chair Juliana Simone’s State Representative campaign in 2006, was at the gathering for donations and discussion. Jason Stark, Kevin’s campaign manager, and a long time employee of the House and Senate Republicans, gave the opening address to attendees.
May 18, 2020
Connecticut’s State Senator and Republican Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore, Kevin Witkos (R-8), was nominated to serve another term by the Senate’s Eighth District delegation during a convention conference call. Witkos is unopposed. The convention Chair was Avon’s RTC Chair Jeffrey Fleischman. Barkhamsted Chair, Juliana Simone, and Board of Finance Chair, Richard Winn, participated in the convention. Simone was asked to be a member of the Rules Committee.
Witkos, first elected to the State Senate in 2009, served as a State Representative in the Connecticut General Assembly for six years prior. Kevin is the Ranking Member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee and the General Law Committee. He is also a member of the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee.
A retired Canton police Sergeant after 28 years of service, former restaurant owner and current employee of Eversource since 2012, Kevin is married with two adult children. Witkos has appeared on the Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee’s cable show “Conservative Chat” multiple times during his tenure. YouTube Channel “Conservative Chat” has his most recent interview from 2019 available for viewers.
Congratulations to Senator Witkos for his years of work in the Connecticut legislature.
Barkhamsted RTC Chair Seconds the Nomination for Candidate Jim Griffin (CT-1)
The State Republican Party held the Congressional First District Convention Monday evening via conference call due to the COVID19 restrictions state and nationwide. Two candidates were presented for the nomination. BRTC Chair Juliana Simone and her two fellow delegates all supported Jim Griffin. Here is the seconding speech Simone gave to the 173 delegates participating online:
Seconding Nomination for Jim Griffin for First Congressional:
“In the sixteen years I’ve been a member of the Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee, we’ve seen a lot of First Congressional candidates come and go every two years trying to take out the incumbent John Larson. We’ve tried men, women, small business owners, investment brokers, engineers, office workers – all kinds of people we thought would have the right appeal to put a Republican in the First Congressional seat. Except one. A candidate who actually has worked in Washington, D.C. and has first hand experience working there. It’s one thing to want to work there, it’s another to actually have worked there. Jim Griffin has worked for U.S. Senator Richard Luger and in the Reagan administration working in the Office of Management and Budget and has been a member of both political parties, smartly switching to the Republican Party years ago as he saw the Democrat Party become nothing like he remembered it to be.
Born and raised in Bristol, an Eagle Scout, a graduate of West Point, a Lieutenant Colonel who served active duty for seven years and then a member of the National Guard, he went on to earn a Masters Degree from Georgetown and took some extra courses in economics at John Hopkins. He took up the cause to save the famed Hartford Colt Building from being turned into apartments and is now working on making it a national landmark and museum as another attraction for people to come visit our state of Connecticut. I’m proud to second the nomination of Jim Griffin.”
The State Central member who nominated Jim Griffin, Joe Hoxha, made important comments in his speech about Jim’s expertise in foreign policy due to his lengthy service in government work and in the military.
“Hello, everyone my name is Joe Hoxha. I am one of the state central members from the 31st. I am here today to nominate Bristol native James L. Griffin, or better known as Jim Griffin, for United States Congress in the First Congressional district. Jim has had a distinguished career, starting from his time as a West Point grad to his time in the United States Senate. Above all else what stood out the most to me about Jim was his very unique foreign policy experience, something that a Congressman must be well versed in. Jim traveled to the Balkans in the late 90’s on several peace keeping missions during a time when there was bitter conflict and devastation going on. His efforts culminated in him being a part of the Rambouillet Conference, that resulted in peace between the warring factions in the former Yugoslavia, that ultimately saw an end to Europe’s last dictator, Slobodan Milosevic. He received for his efforts various accolades by the United States government including the Department of State and Defense and from the governments of other NATO member countries. And for this, Jim is my choice and hopefully yours for Congress here in the First Congressional District.”
Challenger Mary Fay won the convention 59% to 43%. Though the math doesn’t quite add up, Fay won by a majority, but one not large enough to prevent a primary by Griffin.
Things that helped her win apparently were an eblast email sent out by a former State Party Chair asking delegates to cast their votes for Fay soon before the convention. For anyone not paying attention to details about the candidates, or who just accept marching orders, this was enough. She apparently made more calls to delegates than Griffin, but he said he was unable to get the delegate list with phone numbers until just before the 7th.
Former State Senator Joe Markley nominated Fay. He basically said he liked her and she was someone with energy and intelligence who promised to do a lot of doors. The person who was supposed to second her couldn’t turn on his microphone or had some other glitch that kept his nomination out of the convention. The Chair asked if anyone else would second Fay, but no one volunteered. A female delegate was addressed but she said this was a mistake and she must have hit a wrong prompt, and had nothing prepared to say. Only one person said they would second her in a chat window, but that was either not seen or recognized as it was not acknowledged. A technical second of her nomination according to rules had to be made to proceed without a speech.
In her acceptance address, Fay took some time to chime in noting technical issues, but mentioned her family, thanked those she spoke to and who voted for her, and that she has lived in other states but always maintained a home in West Hartford even while not in Connecticut. In regards to Washington D.C., she mentioned she was invited through her connections to take a bus down to meet President Trump and Larry Kudlow. Fay lost her stay-at-home job in January of this year as Executive Director and sole employee with the state’s Connecticut Retirement Security Authority program, due to lack of funds for her $175,000 a year salary. The quasi-public agency was not a popular idea with the majority of state legislators at the time of its creation in 2016, but the bill squeaked by. https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-separation-agreement-retirement-authority-20200107-zs5wpq5ijbdabem6zwveqibuke-story.html
Fay has worked in the financial field for thirty years. She is also a member of the West Hartford Town Council as was former First Congressional candidate Joe Visconti who ran for this office in 2008. In 2018 she ran unsuccessfully for State Representative against Jillian Gilchrest (D-18) receiving 28% of the vote to Gilchrest’s 72%. A graduate of Skidmore College and Rennsselaer Polytechnic Institute, she lives with her wife and daughter and serves as an appointee on the West Hartford Library Board.
The 43% won by candidate Jim Griffin last night is a considerable number, and certainly enough to primary. With his experience in Washington and foreign affairs, we are glad to be informed today by Griffin directly that he is planning to primary. Let the people decide.
Barkhamsted RTC Officer Elections
March 30, 2020 – The Barkhamsted Republican Town Committee held their biannual officer elections this evening and reelected Chair Juliana Simone and Treasurer Rev. Steven Blackburn, Ph.D. for their sixth term. Both Simone and Blackburn were first elected in 2010. Also elected were Dave Moulton for Vice Chair, who preceded Simone as the BRTC Chair for five terms, and Michael Stewart for Secretary. Upcoming convention delegates were also selected.
Due to the Coronavirus public gathering restrictions, this meeting had to be held via conference call. The district conventions may have to be, as well, if the public safety mandates are continued after April 30th.
A Fox News White House correspondent reported earlier today that long-time conservative talk radio host, Rush Limbaugh, will receive the Medal of Honor tonight during President Donald J. Trump’s State Of The Union Address. Limbaugh, a true patriot and proud American, revealed to listeners in the final minutes of his Monday show ( February 3rd, 2020) that he has been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. He notified his millions of fans he has the best team of doctors who will determine what his best treatment plan is for recovery.
During this time on and off air, he will have a variety of notable fellow talk radio hosts filling in for his show. Mark Steyn, a Canadian author and commentator often seen on the Fox News Network and perhaps most fans favorite substitute host, filled in today and will tomorrow, as well. He told listeners today he owed Rush everything. Many people feel this way about the conservative radio host who has contributed so much to countless charities, individuals and causes. We all pray for Rush Limbaugh’s return to good health and many more years on the airwaves.
Tonight, January 02, 2020, at 7:00 PM on Charter Channel 192, “Conservative Chat” airs for the last time from Winsted Charter Studios with guest columnist Don Pesci. This program marks 14 years for Barkhamsted Republican Town Chair and show host, Juliana Simone, whose first episode aired in December of 2005.
Don and Juliana discuss the studios closing and both of their online articles discussing the reasons why (Don Pesci – Connecticut Commentary: Red Notes From A Blue State; Juliana Simone – In My Vue) the production facility is being shut down, as well as the continuing impeachment nonsense.
For those not in the viewing area or for those who are not Charter/Spectrum subscribers, this show is available online on YouTube on the “Conservative Chat” channel – episode #141.
Congratulations to all of our candidates tonight!
Barkhamsted voters can cast their ballots at the Barkhamsted Elementary School between the hours of 6AM and 8PM. Please re-elect our fine incumbents, many who have volunteered and served for years to keep our town running smoothly and fiscally responsible: Selectman Nick Lukiwsky, Town Treasurer Sally Roy, Zoning Board of Appeals Bill LeGeyt, Planning and Zoning Commission’s Jim Hart, Greg Gordon and Robert Pulford, and Board of Education’s Robert Brainard.
Please also cast your votes for three new Republicans willing to serve: Board of Education candidates Jill Kidik, a newly retired Hartford and honored police officer, Marykate Terzini, an occupational therapist with experience in public schools, and Board of Assessment Appeals candidate, Tom Palmer, a 19-year resident, Barkhamsted Praise Elder, and Army veteran.
Vote Row B on Tuesday!
