GRANBY REPUBLICAN TOWN COMMITTEE
Neighbors Working For and With Neighbors
The Granby Republican Town Committee is committed to recruiting and supporting Republican volunteers and candidates who believe in two fundamental principles:
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Effective community service requires us to put the interests of Granby and its citizens above our own.
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Our responsibility is to help deliver quality public services at a cost that is sensitive to the impact on taxpayers.
First Selectman
Mark Florentino
My family and I moved to Granby from Las Vegas in 2009. I am a government affairs lawyer. My wife Kristal is a small business owner, yoga therapist and wellness coach. Our children, Gage and Ellie, are proud graduates of Granby Memorial High School. Granby is a great place to live and we have a lot going for us. We need to continue to work together to develop and implement plans that both: 1) sustain our successes in a way that taxpayers will support; and 2) capitalize on these successes. I think my combination of work experience and record of service to Granby makes me well suited to lead our efforts.
Board of Selectmen
Kelly O. Rome
Kelly grew up in Granby and resides with her husband Randy, where they raised their two sons, Tyler and Bryan. She earned a BA in economics from UCONN and a master’s in business administration from the University of Hartford. Kelly is currently the Head of Product Development and Management for Empower and has 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. My priorities are: (1) to continue enhancing communication between the town and residents, (2) to maintain the quaint, small-town rural feel of Granby that attracts so many people to our amazing town, and (3) to find innovative ways to increase revenue to lessen the tax burden on residents.
Mark Neumann
Mark is a native son of Granby and is grateful to find a home here with his wife Karen. He is committed to giving back to the community and has dedicated time and resources to a number of organizations, including: the Granby Land Trust; and Granby Cemetery Inc. Mark is an Engineer at Collins Aerospace, with 27 years of experience in support projects for the International Space Station program.
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Mark is completing his tenth term on the Granby Board of Selectman.
Board of Finance
Michael B. Guarco, Jr.
A Granby native, I went thru our school system and then onto the University of Pennsylvania, where I graduated with a degree in economics from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce. My wife Judy and I raised our four children here in Granby, while participating in local church, school, and sports activities, as well as the Chamber of Commerce. My professional career has revolved around operating and managing the family business here in town, as well as running a local manufacturing enterprise. As a long-serving member. and Chair, of the Board of Finance, I have continually sought to recommend to the voters budgets and capital plans that meet the needs of our town at a cost we can reasonably afford. As a life-long resident with a keen understanding of the town and its people, I look to continue the work of making our town a great place to live and raise a family, while being mindful of what it costs each of us in doing so.
Kevin F. Hobson
I was raised in the Farmington Valley and was drawn back to the area to raise my family in Granby ten years ago. My two daughters attend Wells Road School and GMMS. I have seen the many changes in our area over the years. While I understand these changes are important for our town to provide services, housing and business that our residents deserve and need to thrive in our modern world, it’s also extremely important to preserve the natural beauty and agricultural traditions that make our area so attractive and enjoyable. This balance is something I strive to achieve in my service to the town on Board of Finance (BOF).
Board of Education
Rosemarie Weber
My husband and I moved to Granby over 18 years ago when my husband, Chris, became the newest large animal veterinarian at Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital. We realized very quickly that Granby was the place where we would set down roots and grow our family. Since that time, we have raised our three children, a dog, a few cats,
and a flock of chickens in a neighborhood that has become our extended family. I hope to
continue working with our dedicated school leaders and our talented educators in partnership with families and our community to support our students’ success. Now more than ever it is important to stay focused on our priorities and our goals for the sake
of our children.
David Peling, Ed.D.
I am a lifelong Connecticut resident. Our family moved to Granby in 2005, largely because of the reputation of the schools. Both my wife and I are educators. My daughter Maddie graduated from GMHS in 2020 and is now a senior at the University of Connecticut, majoring in Political Science and History. She is also the president of the UCONN Dance Company. Our son David Jr. has just started ninth grade at GMHS and spends his spare time playing football and baseball. My goal as a BOE member is to make sure that all children thrive in every way possible. My first priority going into a second term would be to make sure that improving student achievement for ALL students is our “North Star”. Secondly, we need to continue our work to ensure that all students feel physically, socially, and emotionally safe at school.
Board of Education
Kristina Gilton
Our family has lived in Granby for the last 20 years. We chose Granby because of the strong sense of community and the exemplary school system. My husband Jeff is a Vice President at Travelers in Hartford. Our daughter Lindsay is a 2020 graduate of Granby Memorial High School and our son Patrick is a Senior at GMHS. I believe in the value of public schools and feel Granby prepared our kids
for the next phase of their educational journey. Working with others and being open to various viewpoints are keys to our success and I believe I have these characteristics. The BOE must continue to focus on the importance of student achievement, effective communication, and creating a positive school environment. I look forward to continuing to bring my enthusiasm and dedication to the Granby Board of Education.
Katharine Leenders
I have been a lifelong resident of northwest Connecticut and have lived in Granby since 2010. My husband Chris is a police officer. My son James in the 9 th grade at the agriscience program at Suffield High School and my daughter Anna is in the fourth grade at Wells Road School. We have been fortunate as a family to have amazing experiences with the Granby School system, and I want to work to ensure as many Granby families as possible are as happy with our schools as we are. As a family we love to experience all that Granby has to offer. My children have had the chance to be active participants in the various sports, band, chorus and extracurricular activities we are fortunate to have in Granby. If elected, I would like to focus on further improving communication between schools and parents, continue to improve Granby student achievement, and ensure that Granby students remain the priority.
Planning and Zoning
Mark Lockwood
Steven Muller
My wife and I have resided in Granby since 2000 and have raised our two children in town, both of whom graduated from Granby Memorial High School. I have an BS in management from Syracuse University and an MBA and Law Degree from the University of Connecticut, and currently work in the logistics management industry for project management and as a corporate counsel. I bring to the Planning and Zoning Commission my professional experience in dealing with regulatory and commercial environments, and as the current Planning and Zoning chair, in working respectfully with fellow commissioners and citizens with matters brought before the Commission.
I have lived in Granby for 25 years, moving to town after graduation from Simsbury High School. I have worked for the Mitchell Auto Group in Simsbury since 1984. My wife Sharon works for The Hartford Insurance Company. Together we have 5 children, Melissa, Kristen, Natalie, Kyle and Steven.
My priorities will include working together with other members of the town’s boards and commissions and the town’s citizens to review applications to ensure proposals meet the requirements outlined in the Zoning regulations. I support landowner’s rights, responsible land use and development to manage growth that ensures the prosperity of the Great Town of Granby.
Planning and Zoning
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Brennan Sheahan
I have been a proud member of the Granby community since 2002. This Town means a lot to me, as it is where my three children were raised. I’ve already seen two of my children graduate from GMHS, and my son, Gavin, is now entering his Senior year. I’ve had the pleasure of coaching all three of my children on their sports teams over the past 20 years, which has been a catalyst for meeting parents and their families from every corner of the town. My family has been blessed with the time we have spent in this beautiful community thus far, and I will continue to cherish future memories made. I have served on the Granby Planning & Zoning board for 6 years (two years as an alternate, and 4 years as a full member). Throughout my time on the Board, I have gained a plethora of experiences serving the residents of Granby, all the while finding sensible solutions in a timely manner. I recognize the importance of maintaining the rural character of the Town, the desire to keep our taxes in check and the need for responsible growth to continue to develop the beauty and charm of this community.
Board of Assessment Appeals
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Lowell C. “Whitey” Johnson
I graduated in 1953 from The Loomis School, Windsor, CT and in 1957 from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT. In 1961, my wife Paula and I made Granby our home with soon to be three sons – truly a home with community opportunities to become involved: Little League, Holcomb Farm, Granby Land Trust, Republican Town Committee, Granby Congregational Church, 4-H Chaps & Caps, Town Charter Revision. It can’t get any better than this! Currently, I am president of The Johnson Gage Company, Bloomfield, CT. In 1965, I was first elected to the then Board of Tax Review (BTR), now the Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). During these 58 years, in harmony with our Town Assessor and office staff, the BAA has functioned to review and resolve property assessment issues brought before it by town property owners. My focus when reviewing all issues brought before the BAA is threefold: Listen, Review, Decide. The options are: No Change, Increase, or Decrease the assessed value. Of note – in the last 30 years all BTR/BAA decisions have been unanimous. I look forward to continuing my service on the BAA.
Planning and Zoning Commission Alternate
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Paula H. Johnson
I am a Mount Holyoke graduate and have lived in the same home in Granby with my husband Whitey since 1961. We raised three sons, are enjoying our five grandchildren,
had numerous cherished horses, dogs and cats, was joyfully employed by the Granby Senior Center, and volunteered! My involvement through the years has included Valley Pre School, Granby 4H, Granby Horse Council, Granby Senior Center, Commission on Aging, Granby Congregational Church, Granby Land Trust, Granby Camera Club and the Planning and Zoning Commission. My newest venture is being a Bright Spot Therapy Dog Volunteer and Bradley Buddy with my Aussie, Deja. I have served 36 years on the Planning Commission; 16 years as the Chair. During my tenure, with the support and help of active citizen participation, the Commission has been committed to both its Planning and Zoning responsibility: updating our regulations, working with the Development Commission and the Conservation Commission to develop needed regulations, and implementing many the goals in Granby’s Plan of Conservation Development. My commitment is to continue to be an active and accessible member of the Commission.
Zoning Board of Appeals
Andrew Badeau
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My wife, Charlene, and I grew up in Enfield, CT and moved from our first house in Bristol, CT to Granby in 2001. Charlene is a business development professional at an aerospace company in Windsor Locks, CT. Our three children are proud graduates of Granby Memorial High School. Our son, Guy, is a Construction Foreman and recent homeowner in MA, and will soon be getting married this year. Our daughter, Rachael, is in the master’s program for Biomedical Sciences at High Point University. Our youngest daughter, Julia, is studying for her certification in cosmetology. I am new to formal public service, but I have had an interest in serving our community for the past several years. Now that our children have grown, I have time available to pursue this interest.
Ann Crimmins
I’m a fifty-year resident of Granby. My daughters graduated from Granby Memorial High School. I retired from teaching English in the Simsbury Public Schools and now pursue a career in theater, primarily as a teacher and an improviser. I also edit in the science fiction
field for two publishers, one in NYC and the other in Boston. I have served on the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, the Granby Board of Education (two years as chairperson), and currently on the Zoning Board of Appeals with two years as chairperson. As a member and chair of the BOE I served on multiple curriculum and building committees, and I negotiated contracts with the Granby Education Association on behalf of the BOE. I bring years of experience in working with people to formulate and achieve their vision. I’m honored to have been able to serve Granby for so many years. I hope to continue my contributions to Granby’s future.
Town Moderator
John E. Adams
My wife Cindy and I moved to Granby in 1990. We have proudly raised two grown children Ben and Hanna in Granby. We enjoyed the many coaching and school related activities created by raising our children in this wonderful town. I have been fortunate to serve the town of Granby in many positions since our arrival in the 90s as: Chairman of the Charter Revision Commission, a Selectman, a First Selectman for 10 years, Town Moderator for the past 10 years, and Town Treasurer. While First Selectman, I served as the Vice Chair of the Capital Region Council Governments and as a board member of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority. I am Licensed Environmental Professional in the State of Connecticut and have served on the State Board of Examiners of Environmental Professionals since 1995. I believe my experience as First Selectman and my experience as Moderator for the past 20 years provides a good basis to conduct Town Meetings. I strive to give citizens opportunities to express their views while maintaining a forum where all feel comfortable to speak.