Slifka Re-Elected as Mayor; Democrats Show Continued Strength

When the votes from the last polling place were announced and the final results tallied, a cheer erupted from the crowd at the American Legion Hall as all incumbent Democrats were re-elected in West Hartford's 2011 municipal election. Clare Kindall, whose seat on the Board of Education was not up for election this year, was elected to the Town Council – the only non-incumbent on the ballot. Deputy Mayor Tim Brennan did not seek re-election.

The mood was joyful and the Democratic sweep seemed imminent early on, as former Lt. Gov. Kevin Sullivan read out the reported results shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m.

Official results, which include votes cast by Absentee Ballot, will be certified and filed with the secretary of state by Wednesday morning, but will not impact the victors in West Hartford.

Mayor Scott Slifka retained his leadership position with overwhelming support and victory in all districts –  an unofficial total of 7,988 votes. In West Hartford, the top vote-getter in the Town Council race automatically becomes mayor.

Shari Cantor, who had the second highest vote total at 6,827, will become West Hartford's new deputy mayor.

Minority Leader Denise Hall led the Republican Town Council slate with 4,879 votes. Republican candidate Peter Martin had the least number of votes with 2,977 according to the unofficial results.

Democratic Town Chairman Rae O'Toole took the floor once the results were tallied, congratulating the party's successful candidates, but also recalling the tragic loss last week of , wife of Democratic party activist Harry Schaechter, with a moment of silence.

"Our leaders have led through the last terrible 10 days, and people have recognized that and they have returned everyone to the Council," O'Toole said.

State Sen. Beth Bye (D-5th District) also addressed the happy crowd, and thanked all town leaders, not just the Democrats, for their dedicated public service throughout the past week and a half. "I did not hear one partisan word, and I think I would have during this crisis," Bye said.

As Mayor Scott Slifka took the floor, he was met with enthusiastic applause as well as a standing ovation.

"It's been a long 11 days for people in West Hartford, and it's just beginning to get better. My joy today is tempered by knowing that people are still in the dark," Slifka said. "But they came out and voted."

Slifka mentioned the many acts of kindness which prevailed among West Hartford residents throughout the aftermath of October's freak snowstorm which knocked out power to nearly the entire town. "People volunteered to make sure their neighbors were safe. What a town. As [public relations specialist] Renee McCue says, 'It's a town that cares.'"

Slifka also introduced Cantor, who had the second highest vote total and will take over as deputy mayor.

"There's nobody I would like leading our community other than Scott," Cantor said. She also said she was most excited about the successful re-election of Town Clerk Essie Labrot.

Although Labrot beat Republican challenger Beth Kyle by a large margin, 56 percent to 44 percent, the Town Clerk's race appeared to be the most closely contested.

Although each individual could only cast a vote for two Board of Education candidates, there was only one Republican – Ellen Brassil – running for the position, so all were guaranteed election. Candidate Terry Schmitt led the Democratic ticket with 6,749 votes according to the unofficial tally. Bruce Putterman had 6,719, and Brassil had 4,938.

When asked for further comment on the election results, Slifka remarked, "We've always known this was a wonderful community, but in the last 11 days a crisis showed just how incredible it is. I couldn't be prouder to be mayor of my hometown," Slifka said.

"I hope the spirit we saw this week will translate into politics. We need collaboration."