Meet your Candidates!
TED HINE for Mayor
Ted has lived in New Milford for all his life and his family is one of the founding families of New Milford. Ted was President of the Historical Society, and served on many local nonprofits. During his career in the private sector, Ted has overseen budgets similar in scope to those of the town, as a Chief Information Officer at GE Capital. “I am excited to be able to give back, in a new capacity, to the community I have called home my whole life,” said Ted.
Mary Jane LundGren - Town Council
Mary Jane, longtime resident, had a 45 year career as a nurse in New Milford Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. She is serving on the Town Council, President of New Milford Affordable Housing Inc., and Board Secretary of New Milford Coalition for New Beginnings. Mary Jane is VP of the Northville Residents Association. She earned a BA from Western Connecticut State University, MSW from UCONN School of Social Work and her nursing degree from Roosevelt Hospital School of Nursing.
ALEXANDRA THOMAS - Town Council
Alex was born and raised in New Milford. Alex holds a Bachelor's degree in business and has been a youth camp professional for over 30 years, including owning her own summer camp and conference center for 10 years. She continues to serve youth camps as a board member of the CT Camping Association and an instructor and mentor to American Camp Association accredited camps. She served a number of years on the New Milford Board of Education, many as secretary and some as chair. More recently she has been volunteering at NM's vaccine clinics.
Dr. Michele Shackelford - Town Council
Michele Shackelford has been full-time New Milford resident since she retired in 2015. Michele has been a member of the Ethics Commission since 2015, and New Milford Refugee Relocation Group (NMRRG) since 2016 and is now NMRRG President. She has assisted two emigrant families to integrate into the New Milford community. She spearheaded the transition of NMRRG to a 501(c)(3) organization. Michele is also a Board member of New Milford Affordable Housing, Inc. and has served as a coordinator for the “Healthy, Efficient and Diverse Housing” subsection of Sustainable CT. Michele has a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the City University of New York.
Tony Morrissey - Town Council
Coach Tony Morrissey, a Danbury native, graduate of Henry Abbott Tech, and a US Army Veteran has lived in New Milford for nearly twenty five years. Tony and his wife are proud supporters of the New Milford school system, all eight of the ‘Morrissey Bunch’ children have attended schools in town. Tony’s professional background within the information technology space also spans decades. Since 2009 Tony has held a leadership position with the Walt Disney Company’s Technical Program Management division. Coach Tony has been a tireless volunteer in various communities since high school and began working with kids in youth sports leagues in the early 1990’s, he’s continued his work with at-risk children for the last 30 years, and he’s been formally recognized for his efforts as a foster parent and community activist fighting the opioid epidemic.
Hilary Ram - Town Council
Hilary is running for New Milford Town Council. She was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in New York City. She graduated from St. Lawrence University with a BA, Political Science. Hilary and her family settled in New Milford 5 years ago. She is committed to New Milford’s wellbeing and growth. Much of her energy will be working to attract new and growing businesses. Her other areas of focus: prioritizing education; environment; building stronger community ties; nurturing inclusivity and volunteerism; and listening to the residents of New Milford.
Exiene LOFGREN - Town Council
Exiene is a recent resident of New Milford. He joined the Democratic Town Committee after helping Tom O’Brien’s 2017 campaign run for State Representative. Exiene serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Exiene has 30 years experience working professionally and voluntarily for environmental, LGBT, human rights organizations, as well as local, state, and national Democratic candidates.
MOHAMMED KARIM - Town Council
Mohammed has been a resident of New Milford since 2005. He is a small business owner, and co-owns a South Asian grocery store in downtown Danbury, as well as managing a convenience store in New Milford. He graduated from the University of Chittagong in Bangladesh with a BS, Commerce. Mohammed lives with his wife and their two daughters who both attend schools in New Milford.
gale alexander - Board of Finance
Gale, his wife and two children have been New Milford residents for over thirty years. Gale has served our town in the past as Chairman of the Board of Finance, member of the Arts Commission, and currently as Justice of the Peace. He is the owner of Rabbat Productions, an event contracting company, a professional magician and hypnotist, and a Connecticut certified teacher.
ROBYN MANN – Board of Finance
Robyn has 30 + years of experience as an attorney & mediator. She is admitted to the Bar in NY, CT, and CO. Educated at Emory University & Cardozo School of Law, Robyn has received extensive specialized training in mediation & negotiation, from Conflict Management Consultants, New York Peace Institute, the Ackerman Group, New York Center for Interpersonal Development, & New York City Non-Violent Communication group. Other work experience: FamilyKind Ltd, Member of Referral Mediator Panel, Aspen Film, Executive Director.
Joe Baker – Board of Finance
Joe is a current member of the New Milford Zoning Commission. He has a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from RPI and an MBA from UConn. He started a successful local business in the semiconductor industry. That success allowed Joe to retire early and now devotes his skills to volunteering and promoting worthy causes. He looks forward to serving New Milford, where he and his wife, Roberta, have lived for over 30 years, raising their four children and doting over their grandson.
Bill Dahl - Board of Education
Bill is married with two adult children. Bill has been a resident of New Milford since 1976. Bill is a teacher who taught in NYC for two years, then taught in North Salem, NY for 35 years. Bill was a member of the New Milford Board of Ed from 2015 to 2019. Bill is an active member of the First Congregational Church f Ken and a member of New Milford Community Center Committee. Bill’s educational philosophy is: Education is planting seed of knowledge for a lifetime of harvesting.
Tom O’Brien - Board of Education
Tom O’Brien is a carpenter, journalist, and former substitute teacher. He currently represents New Milford on the HARTransit Board of Directors. Previously he was Chair of the Bike and Trail Committee, and a member of the Zoning Commission. Tom has also contributed to our town through his many years of service on the boards of the Trust for Historic Preservation and the New Milford River Trail Association, which he co-founded.
DEBORAH FREEMAN – Board of Education
The (Heacock) Freemans have been residents of the town of New Milford since the 1800s. Deborah was raised here since the early sixties and attended the local elementary, middle, and high school. Her son also attended elementary schools in town. After moving away to the southwest she raised her son as a single parent. Deborah returned home 7 years ago and has been volunteering her time in hopes of making a difference and helping others. Previous board member and current volunteer with the Woman’s Club of Greater New Milford. 6 years of continuous membership.
Marilyn Lipscomb, Board of Education
A lifelong educator, Marilyn has dedicated more than 20 years to public school students. Since graduating from the University of Maryland, she has taught high school French & English in Maryland and Alabama. Marilyn sponsored several clubs including Yearbook, was a Booster Club President, and most recently, Debate Coach at Wilton High School. A mother of two Connecticut public school graduates, including a special needs son, she has a unique insight in understanding interactions of students, faculty and community. Marilyn has lived in New Milford for over 5 years with her husband of 45 years.
michael anastas - zoning commission
Mike is a retired advertising strategy and market research consultant. He serves on the New Milford Economic Development Commission and is past president of the Candlewood Point Homeowners Tax District. He had been president of the Old Scarsdale Neighborhood Association before moving here with his wife in 2000. They and their sons had been boating and summering on Candlewood Lake since 1985. “As Ted Hine says, ‘Why would anyone want to live anywhere else?’”
jackie alexander - Zoning commission
Jackie has lived in New Milford for 30 years and has seen the challenges presented by a historic village with a mix of old and new buildings. Zoning can help with preserving that mix, and Jackie believes that New Milford’s unique character and charm should be preserved.
jIM scheef - planning commission
Jim moved to New Milford in 1973. Jim expects to be made a native any day now. Jim grew up Republican, gradually morphed left thru the ’80s. In 2000, he started working to elect Democrats. Jim is a member of the DTC since 2013. Jim attended Michigan State University (BS), and then Northwestern University (MBA). Jim worked for General Foods Corp for 24yrs. Jim formed a programming and computer networking company. Jim has two sons with three granddaughters; the youngest starting college. Jim is active in volunteer organizations over the years, including the Appalachian Mountain Club (webmaster for 10 years), Danbury Area Computer Society (board member for 16 years, president for 3 years).
Ellen conklin - board of assessment appeals
An attorney and management consultant, Ellen has been a resident of New Milford for more than 15 years. She cares deeply about ensuring New Milford is a desirable, affordable, inclusive place to live, work and play. She believes that a strong and equitable tax base will fund the range of services needed for the town to continue to be a vibrant community. Ellen currently serves as a member of the New Milford Municipal Roads Committee and is a former ambassador at New Milford Hospital.
Bob Gambino - Zoning Board of Appeals
Bob is a longtime resident of the Northville section of New Milford and a former Mayor of New Milford from 2001-2003. He is a retired teacher, active in the Northville Residents’ Association. Bob and his wife Kathy have two children who have attended and graduated from our schools. He is currently a Commissioner on the Housatonic River Commission representing New Milford. Bob has a BS from Cornell University.