Voting day for 2023 municipal elections is Nov. 7. North Canaan’s polling station will be at Town Hall, 100 Pease Street from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting tabulators will be used. Absentee ballots are already available from the Town Clerk. Absentee ballots can be placed in the ballot box outside Town Hall and will be counted at the polls.
North Canaan’s Board of Selectmen is composed of a first, second and third selectman. The first selectman is the town’s chief elected official who administers town business on a day to day basis, the Board of Selectmen is responsible for superintending the town’s affairs subject to control of town meetings.
Selectmen in North Canaan are elected to two-year terms. They are seated on the board one week after election day. The annual salary of the first selectman is $32,000 and the annual salary of the second and third selectmen is $6,500 each.
The candidate for first selectman that receives the most votes will become first selectman through 2025. The remaining first selectman candidate then drops into the pool with the candidates for selectman. The candidate that receives the most votes in the pool will become second selectman, and the next highest will become third selectman through 2025 (subject to state law on minority representation).
Get to know the selectman candidates ahead of the 2023 municipal election. In North Canaan, there are two candidates for first selectman and three candidates for selectman vying for a seat on the town board. Below, each candidate offered information about themselves and their goals for the town.
Christian Allyn
Democratic Nominee for First Selectman
Christian Allyn graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2017, started his company Invasive Plant Solutions, which now employs a staff of 7 there and wrote the Town Plan of Conservation and Development. He has served on the Board of Selectman since 2017. He also serves as a Housatonic River Commissioner and on many local nonprofits including the Foundation for Community Health, Friends of Beckley Furnace, Canaan History Center and many more.
Why do you want to be selectman?
Becoming a Selectman and a First Selectman has been the goal of my life. In 2017 I got elected to the Board of Selectman and was able to work hard to change the narrative on North Canaan from a declining small town to an up-and-coming town in the eyes of the New York Times. I am excited to run for First Selectman to push that positivity forward to North Canaan’s top office and work everyday to continue to uphold North Canaan a beacon of hope in Northwest Connecticut.
If elected, what are your top priorities?
Top priorities are to finish what I have started, getting the Ruggles Landing project finished, Blight Ordinances brought to a town meeting and find a resolution to reopen our Greenway trails. There after I will begin rewriting the Plan of Conservation and Development so we can get all of our townspeople’s projects on a plan to be executed and use that plan to get grants for those projects.
How would you improve the town?
I will continue to work every day for the town of North Canaan. With my involvement in many community organizations I have built a deep base of background knowledge of our town and will continue to use that for the benefit of everyone. Restructuring our town government to make it better able to receive grants is what North Canaan needs. By taking the time to rewrite the Town Plan of Conservation and Development and seek grants North Canaan will be in a great position to continue improving.
Anything to add?
It has been a joy to serve on the Board of Selectmen. As announced by Jesse Bunce and myself, Jesse will not be stepping down so that I have a spot on the Board of Selectmen. Therefore if voters want me on the Board of Selectmen they must vote for me.
Brian M. Ohler
Republican Nominee for First Selectman
— 12 years in the United States Army; Military Police
— 3 combat tours; Iraq and Afghanistan
— Small business owner; safety consultation
— Former CT State Representative
— Former member of North Canaan Board of Finance
— Vol. Firefighter and EMT
— Regional Director; Hartford Healthcare
— Four college degrees; Masters in Public Administration and Emergency Management; Masters in Healthcare Administration; Bachelors in Homeland Security and Emergency Management; Associates in Criminal Justice.
Why do you want to be selectman?
Serving others is a commitment that can never be taken for granted, nor taken lightly. To me, servant leadership has always been a guiding virtue. I believe, as diverse as my life has been, it has provided me with the life experience, professional opportunities, and education that is necessary to lead Canaan into its next chapter. I want to help create a government that is accountable and equitable; one that champions success, eliminates hardships, and invites continuous civic engagement.
If elected, what are your top priorities?
Ensure the health and safety of every resident, eliminate wasteful spending, identify more efficient methods of governing, improve the function and processes of every town board and commission, capture grants and financial aid, adopt a new regional education budgeting formula, help businesses thrive and succeed, create a more robust sports program for our youth, update town utilities and facilities, make the Town Hall more accessible, and be a constant champion for Canaan!
How would you improve the town?
Canaan has been gaining momentum. But I believe that I can form and lead a team that has the innate ability to truly foster a civic and social environment that creates greater opportunity for every resident, family, and business; focusing more on overall affordability, sound capital investments, stronger governmental processes, expansive economic networking, creating reliable public and private partnerships, and establishing an advocacy for enhancing our quality of life as a whole.
Anything to add?
No matter where our differences may be, we can rely heavily on the one common denominator that lives within all of us; that Canaan is our home, it’s our love. Let that be the fuel needed to bring our voices and ideas together. www.brianohler.com
Ann Talmadge
Unaffiliated Write-in Candidate for Selectman
My father encouraged me to join the military and at the time, I never thought I would end up a retired veteran of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. I was activated into service overseas on three occasions to support air operations in Kosovo, Bosnia and Iraq. In addition to military service, I have been a federal government employee for almost 20 years working in different agencies in Washington, DC. I now work for the US Air Force at Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA building a better Air Force.
Why do you want to be selectman?
I believe in North Canaan and its residents. Our town has great people who want to see it succeed and be a viable community with a government that supports and protects its residents. There are opportunities for growth in business which my experience can help foster. There are opportunities to live healthier, by establishing healthcare, exercise areas and good nutrition with our farming community. And, I want to take advantage of the sage knowledge of our our older residents.
If elected, what are your top priorities?
I’ll get straight to the point. My top priorities are to finish projects that have already been started and which align with my three key areas:
Building a healthy community.
Strengthening and modernizing the region.
Promoting government transparency.
How would you improve the town?
We have two green spaces that have languished that I’d like to bring under the town’s oversight whether it be through supporting nonprofit organizations or as town parks. I am also seeking ways to build a land trust so we can avoid situations that we are currently facing with one of our green spaces. I hope to work with the other selectman to seek out and draft grants designed for rural communities. And I would like to revamp our town’s website to improve dissemination of information.
Anything to add?
The opportunity to become a selectman arose and I decided to try to participate in helping to manage and grow North Canaan. I would like to emphasize that one doesn’t have to be in the government to help. I encourage our residents to volunteer.
Jesse Bunce
Democratic Nominee for Selectman
I’m a lifelong resident of North Canaan. My family has been here for generations. I’m married with a 18-month-old son. I own and manage a successful excavation business, and because of that business I have strong and planning and organizational skills. I manage over 1/2 dozen employees. I’ve been on the Planning and Zoning board for 2 years.
Why do you want to be selectman?
I feel that North Canaan needs a change in a positive direction. We need to get our spending in order and make things more affordable for young families to enjoy a good quality of life in this town and for the older population to retire comfortably.
If elected, what are your top priorities?
Make small changes to cut non-essential spending in the budget. Search for grants and other funding opportunities to protect the general fund. Communication and transparency are key. Be sure that all Town of North Canaan elected officials, appointed officials and town employees are held to a standard of transparency and respect the tax payers. Review all processes at the transfer station to ensure efficiency and costs are in line.
How would you improve the town?
Review all road status to be sure that they meet the specifications. Make strides for families to offer more local programs tailored to children, work to increase school aged and infant care available. Work with business owners to better understand the needs they have and how the town can help. Communication across the Board to ensure all parties are working for the good of the community
Anything to add?
We’re going to have a MEET AND GREET for candidates on Oct. 29, from 1-4 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre, Canaan, CT. Please join us, families are welcome! Refreshments and games, too.
Craig Whiting
Republican Nominee for Selectman
48 years old. Born and raised in North Canaan. Graduated from HVRHS. Served as FFA Alumni President. Jr Firefighter and 30 year member of Canaan Fire Company, still active. Served many years as a line officer. Served on the Board of Finance. Finishing my 3rd term as a Selectman. In the process of acquiring my pilot’s license. I work in Facilities management at a local private school. I was the facility manager at a large, state owned facility in RI. Very passionate for our town.
Why do you want to be selectman?
I have dedicated my last 6 years to the town of North Canaan. Brian and I have come up with a 50 point plan to bring North Canaan to the next level. I hope to be part of the leadership that improves our town infrastructure, communication, tax base by supporting business growth, continue working towards a safe community by providing support to our first responders in EMS, Fire protection and police. I would like to see North Canaan as a destination to support our local businesses.
If elected, what are your top priorities?
Over 70% of our tax dollars in North Canaan go to education. We cannot sustain affordable living when our portion of the regional budget increases by 20% in 4 years. As a town representing less than 10% of the regional grand list we cannot be paying 39% of the budget. The discussion should be “how do we divide the budget in a way that is fair and equitable for all of the taxpayers in Region 1” instead of dividing it amongst the towns in a way that punishes family friendly towns financially.
How would you improve the town?
I have a written tax incentive program for businesses ready to be reviewed by the EDC and then approved at a town meeting. This will promote new businesses as well as to promote our current businesses to invest in their properties. Making sure we have the right people in the right offices is essential to the smooth operation of the town. If Brian and I are elected we will review all departments and make sure we are providing all the services required.
Anything to add?
The biggest complaint I receive is directly related to property taxes. There are 2 ways to lower taxes, increase the tax base or lower the regional school budget. I think we need to prioritize both to make a difference.
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The gate at Auschwitz. Natalia Zukerman
Suitcases taken from prisoners at Auschwitz.Natalia Zukerman
A crematorium at Auschwitz.Natalia Zukerman
Shoes taken from prisoners.Natalia Zukerman
Prisoners slept four to a bunk at Birkenau.Natalia Zukerman
