Community Corner

Meet the Candidates for Durham Planning and Zoning Commission

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8

(Voters will choose four candidates)

Dick Eriksen (R-Incumbent)

Family: Married, 2 children

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Occupation: Retired, New England Wine & Spirits, Inc

Offices Held: Planning and Zoning Commision (present), Vice Chairman, Chairman; Regional Planning Agency, Vice Chairman; Inland Wetlands Commission, former member and Chairman; DMIAAB

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Civic Affiliations: Veteran, U.S. Navy

Personal Statement:  I am an advocate of well-ordered and planned development.

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Frank C. DeFelice (R-Incumbent)

Age: 54

Family: Married

Education: University of Harford, Electrical Engineering

Occupation: Engineering & Project Management (Cytec Industries Inc.), CT Licensed Operating Engineer, CT/FL Licensed Electrical Contractor

Offices Held: Planning and Zoning Commission (present),
Past Chairman; Public Safety Committee

Civic Affiliations: Ranking Member, NFPA Standards Development Committee;  Member, International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI)

Personnel Statement:  It has been my privilege to serve the residents of Durham on its Planning & Zoning Commission for the past 10 years. During that time, we have managed to preserve Durham’s character, while reviewing a multitude of widely varying housing issues and commercial development concerns. It takes years to learn and thoroughly understand the many land-use laws we must live by; and it is here that I believe my background in Engineering and Project Management enables me to serve Durham’s residents best. I believe in fairness, and always strive to balance the rights of the land owner with the best interests of our community. Through my published articles and letters, I have made a conscious effort to keep residents informed of land-use issues. 

Voters can be assured that I will do my part to preserve Durham’s charm, scenic beauty and rural character.

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Steve DeMartino (R-Incumbent)

Age: 42

Family: Married, 2 children

Education: BA, Economics and Accounting, College of the Holy Cross; MBA, Finance, University of Connecticut

Occupation: CPA, President and CFO TransAct Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:TACT)

Offices Held: Planning and Zoning Alternate member (present)

Civic Affiliations: Coach, Durham Youth Baseball, Softball and Soccer; Board member of Warrior Wealth, a nonprofit organization providing pro bono financial planning services to veterans

Personal Statement: As a local business leader, I understand the challenges Durham faces in these difficult and volatile economic times.  Balancing the growing needs and demands of our town with maintaining Durham’s “charm“ and controlling property taxes will certainly prove to be a challenge.  My two-year tenure as an alternate on P&Z has afforded me the opportunity to gain a more intimate understanding of P&Z’s important role in this challenge.  I now stand ready to become a full commissioner where I can more fully apply my skills to help Durham make smart decisions – decisions that will allow our town to progress while preserving its charm.

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Dan Melnik (R)

Age: 23

Family: Ron and Jan (Parents); Wes and Steve (Brothers); Manton LaFountain (Grandfather)

Education: Coginchaug Regional High School (2006); University of Hartford (2010)

Occupation: Water Resource Engineer, Milone & MacBroom, Inc.

Offices Held: None

Civic Affiliations: Member of Wallingford Rod and Gun Club

Personal Statement: I am very eager to serve the residents of Durham as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. I'm particularly interested in applying my expertise in Engineering (I earned my B.S. in Civil Engineering, as well as my EIT) and working toward proactive business development; and to update our Plan of Conservation and Development.

I am a highly collaborative individual, who contributes effectively as a member of a team. Ultimately, I would like to work toward achieving the right balance between preserving our town's character and enacting sound development strategies that help to ensure a solid foundation for the future.


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David F. Foley P.E.  (U-Incumbent)

Age: 54

Family: Wife, Shari and daughters Rachel & Dana

Education:  BS Civil Engineering University of Hartford,  Licensed Professional Engineer 

Occupation: Retired Engineer, Small Business Owner

Offices Held: Planning & Zoning Commissioner for 12 years, Vice Chairman - Durham Town Hall Building Committee; Secretary - Emergency Services Facility Committee; Member - Public Safety Committee

Civic Affiliations: Coginchaug Track Supporters, Inveterate Volunteer

Personal Statement: As the only Professional Engineer on the P&Z commission I have training and over 25 years of experience from which to draw when considering a proposal.  Having been on both sides of the table gives me a unique perspective on every presentation and the ability to ask hard, relevant questions that lead to informed decisions.  Decisions made by the Planning and Zoning Commission are permanent. Decisions that achieve desirable short term goals also have long term impacts on the Town of Durham and particularly on our Main Street, a road with a long, illustrious history. The Town of Durham should elect the most qualified, objective and community-minded people to make those decisions.

With my experience, training and record of civic involvement I hope to earn your vote.

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Jim McLaughlin (D)

Jim's broad, in-depth knowledge of Durham is an important reason to support his candidacy for The Planning and Zoning Commission. 

Jim has accrued almost 40 years of experience in public service in the Town of Durham. Along with serving as First Selectman, he has served on the Board of Selectmen, Historic District Commission (12 years), Board of Tax Review (16 years), Charter Revision Commission (1977), Economic Development Commission, and as justice of the peace. Jim was also a Vice President of the Durham Fair Association and one of the founders of the Durham Fair Foundation. He is currently on the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and is a US Army veteran.

Before retiring, Jim was CEO of an advertising, marketing and public relations firm in New Haven. He and his wife Ona have lived on Main Street for 43 years and are still happy about finding Durham and enjoying the quality of life it offers and the people who share it with them.

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Eugene Riotte (U)

Age: 49

Family: Wife Lynn, daughter Kate (Sophomore in college), son Jack (Grade 8)

Education: Bachelor, Master degrees in Special Education,  Sixth Year Certificates in Education Administration and Education Consultation

Occupation: Special Education teacher, New Britain CT

Offices Held: Planning and Zoning (13 years) and Inland Wetlands (1 year, currently serving)

Civic Affiliations: Member and Church School teacher (14 years, maybe more, currently teaching) at United Churches

Personal Statement: Durham is a wonderful place to live.  Since moving here over 17 years ago, the townspeople have welcomed and embraced our family.  For that I am eternally grateful.  I wish to serve the community that has made me feel to home.  I hope to respect and preserve the history of the town while looking to find the best future for it through careful plannning.  I look forward to that opportunity as a candidate for the Planning and Zoning Commission.

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Alternates (voters will choose two candidates)

Bonnie Ryder (R)

Family: Single

Education: BA, University of St Andrews, Scotland

Occupation: Licensed Producer, Allstate Insurance Company

Civic Affiliations: Former Board member, Middlesex Association of Retarded Citizens

Personal Statement: I learned the value of good planning during my education in Scotland, where historical treasures are cherished alongside modern necessities.

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Norm Jason (R)

Bio not provided.


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