Now is your chance to become a member of the Republican or Democratic Town Committees and participate in the political process that selects candidates for public office. The town committees are selected in the most small "d" democratic process imaginable: all registered members of the respective political parties who show up for the caucus for the district in which they live may vote to elect the members of the town committee from that district. Usually, the caucuses are held in the district, but this year many of the district caucuses will be held in Town Hall.
The caucuses define the make-up of the town committees and can also determine the course of the local parties for years afterward. For example, a few years back there was a split in the Greenwich Republican Town Committee between the older members, derisively referred to as the "Old Guard", and a new generation that called itself "the Horseneck Republicans" after their favorite bar. These two groups flooded the caucuses with supporters as they wrestled for control of the local party. The outcome may be seen in the identity of the Horseneck Republicans like Peter Tesei, Stephen Walko and Fred Camillo. This year promises lively competition in both political parties as different factions vie for control.
The Republican Town Committee will be elected at district caucuses to be held on Wednesday, January 8 at 7:00 pm at these locations: District 1 (Town Hall, Probate Conference Room), District 2 (Town Hall, Clerk's office downstairs), District 3 (Town Hall, Clerk's office vault), District 4 (Sokol Club), District 5 (Riverside School, cafeteria), District 6 (Old Greenwich School, cafeteria), District 7 (Town Hall, cafeteria), District 8 (Cos Cob School, cafeteria), District 9 (Glenville School, cafeteria), District 10 (Glenville School, media center), District 11 (North Street School, gym) and District 12 (North Mianus School, cafeteria).
The Democratic Town Committee will be elected at district caucuses to be held on Monday, January 13 at 7:00 pm at these locations: District 1 (Town Hall, Parks & Rec Conference Room), District 2 (Town Hall, room tbd), District 3 (Town Hall, room tbd), District 4 (Byram Veteran's Club, 300 Delevan Ave. , District 5 (Riverside School, cafeteria), District 6 (First Congregational Church, room 104), District 7 (GHS, teachers' cafeteria), District 8 (Cos Cob Library, community room), District 9 (Western Civic Center, room 115), District 10 (Town Hall, Gisborne Room), District 11 (Town Hall, room tbd) and District 12 (Town Hall, Town Hall Meeting Room).
All registered members of the political parties are invited to attend their respective parties' caucuses for the district in which they live. They cannot vote in other district caucuses, however. Non-party members may not attend or participate in the party caucuses.
