News Highlights in Town

The Democratic Town Committee is continuing its vetting process for candidates for this fall’s local elections.

DTC Chairman Frank Farricker said the party will endorse candidates to challenge Republicans for all seats – ranging from First Selectman and the Board of Selectmen, to Tax Collector and Town Clerk. The DTC also plans to present a full slate of candidates for the Board of Education and the Board of Estimate and Taxation.

Farricker said because there a multiple potential candidates for each post the DTC has delayed its nominating process until May 11.

Democrat John Blankley is expected to receive the party’s endorsement for First Selectman. The technology consultant who moved to Greenwich more than 30 years ago, is a District 10 member of the Representative Town Meeting and serves on the RTM’s Finance Committee. While he hasn't announced whether he will seek a third two-year term, Republican First Selectman Peter Tesei is expected to announce his re-election bid in late May.

*

Former Riverside resident Sarah Coit was murdered, according to New York City Police, at the hands of her boyfriend.

The 2006 graduate of Greenwich High School was found in the lower East Side apartment of New York that she shared with Raul Barrera early April 11 with multiple stab wounds. According to police, the attack culminated a violent argument between the couple.

Coit, 23, apparently wanted to break up with Barrera. Coit’s family has been in seclusion in their Riverside home, mourning the loss of their daughter.

Coit, who was a member of the GHS cross country team, will be remembered in an annual end-of-season memorial rite in May for past track team members. Track coach William Mongovan recalled Coit as friendly student who enjoyed the camaraderie of her teammates.

Barrera has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bond.

 *

The Greenwich Distinguished Teachers Awards Committee announced the recipients of the 2011 Distinguished Teachers Awards.

The selected teachers selected by The Distinguished Teachers Awards Committee (DTAC)  were:

• Karen Boyea, Greenwich High School, Social Studies;
• Meredith Daniels, Riverside School, Grade 5;
• Laura Donnelly, Eastern Middle School, Science;
• Karen Foster, North Mianus School, Kindergarten;
• Nan Nelson, Glenville School, Advanced Learning Program, and
• Jennifer Preli, Greenwich High School, Mathematics.

The Distinguished Teachers Awards Committee (DTAC)  is a nonprofit organization established in 1984 to recognize and celebrate excellence among the dedicated teaching staff of the Greenwich Public Schools. Each year, this committee - comprised of 20 volunteer representatives from the Board of Education, Greenwich Organization of School Administrators, Greenwich Educational Association, the Greenwich PTA Council and a community member.

This year’s recipients will be recognized at the April 28 Board of Education meeting, at Riverside School at 7 p.m.

The Distinguished Teachers Awards Ceremony will take place at Western Middle School at 4 p.m. May 3.