Manchester Democrats Select November Election Slate

Calling it the strongest slate of candidates the party has fielded in years, the Manchester Democratic Town Committee held its nominating caucus Tuesday night at the Elks Lodge in town and selected candidates for the Board of Directors, Board of Education and other elected positions for the upcoming November elections. 

“This is the strongest ticket that the Democrats have fielded in years," said party chairman Mike Pohl. "We have the quality candidates, we have the record, and now we need to do the work to help our candidates be successful in Manchester.” 

All endorsements were unanimous Tuesday. 

The Democratic Town Committee selected six candidates for the Board of Directors – including four incumbents, Leo V. Diana, who currently serves as deputy mayor, Rudy C. Kissman, Lisa P. O’Neill, and Jay Moran. John D. Topping, who was elected to the board in the past but had to resign in 2006 because of health problems, was also nominated. Newcomer Steve Gates, president of the Manchester PTSA and a member of the Manchester Sports Hall of Fame, rounded out the nominations for the Board of Directors.

Topping, who noted that he was thankful to be healthy enough to run again, said “there is nothing more important to me right now” than regaining his seat on the Board of Directors.

For the Board of Education, newcomers Jason P. Scappaticci and Sarah Walton will vie for seats on the school board for 2011-2014, while incumbents Maria W. Cruz and Neal S. Leon will battle to keep their seats for another term from 2012-2015.

Scappaticci teaches and runs a college preparatory program at Manchester Community College that helps students transition to higher education. Walton holds a master’s degree in counseling and helps the city of Hartford coordinate its mentoring program; prior to that, she was a school counselor in a number of districts.

Democrats will try to retain majorities on both the Board of Directors and Board of Education in the November election, which will be held Nov. 8.

The Republican Town Committee July 21.

The complete list of candidates nominated by the Democratic Town Committee Tuesday is as follows:

Board of Directors term 2011-2013

• Leo Vincent Diana
• Steve Gates
• Rudy C. Kissman
• Jay Moran
• Lisa Paggioli O’Neil
• John D. Topping

Board of Education term 2011-2014

• Jason P. Scappaticci
• Sarah Walton

Board of Education term 2012-2015

• Maria Waleska Cruz
• Neal S. Leon

 Board of Selectman term 2011-2013

• Steve Cassano
• Joseph J. Diminico

 Constables term 2011-2013

• Chuck Barrera
• Albert J. Gionet
• Warren J. Packer
• Edward Slegeski