James Burke:

James Burke is seeking his second term on the New London City Council. In his first term, he chaired the Public Works Committee which hired an additional sidewalk contractor to do smaller jobs "on-call". As a member of Schools Building and Maintenance Committee he aided in a “shovel in the ground”for both the high school and middle school projects, established a non-lapsing fund for New London Public Schools (NLPS), laid the groundwork for a community recreation center, lowered resident prices at Ocean Beach, and implemented several police reforms including body cameras and creation of the peer navigator program to address the vast amount of 911 calls where mental health assistance is needed.

If re-elected, James would fight to open the city charter in order to make changes necessary to implement all recommendations of Mayor Passero's Public Safety Policy Review Committee, eliminate the residency requirement for City department heads, move Board of Education members to staggered four-year terms, will see that the Community Center project stays on track, and will continue to advocate that business plan for the Community Center is accessible to low income residents. Lastly, James will work closely with the newly formed Cultural Commission to foster New London's vibrant art scene and market it as the amazing asset it is.

Efrain Dominguez:

Efrain Dominguez has served four terms as a New London City Councilor and currently serves as Council President.

Efrain has championed initiatives such as the Public Safety Policy Review Committee that submitted 18 recommendations to the Mayor and his Administration for action, created the Joint Budgetary Task Force to foster the relationship between Council and the New London Board of Education, created a newsletter from Council to communicate with constituents, and is the founder of the "We are New London parade" which celebrates New London’s people, businesses, and government.

One of Efrain’s greatest accomplishments is garnering support and gaining passage for the New London Community Center. This will support all of the New London community long into the future.

When re-elected, Efrain will continue to lead the Joint Budgetary Task Force, work to expand Public Works and Human Services, foster the development of small businesses, and provide programs for our seniors as well as new and innovative programs for our youth.

Reona Dyess:

Reona is a voice for families and children in our community. She is seeking her second term as a member of the New London City Council where she currently chairs the Public Welfare Committee.

She is executive director of the Drop In Learning Center and is known by many as “Ms. D”. Reona has cared for our children for over twenty-five years, helped multiple generations of children realize their potential, and has volunteered her time to institutions that uplift our neighbors.

While on Council, she has voted to declare racism as a public health crisis, voted for a resolution for Healthcare for All, and supported an equitable and balanced budget that did not raise property taxes but reduced property taxes for two years in a row.

As a community leader, Reona continues to be an advocate for not only our children but all the residents of New London.

Martha Marx:

Martha Marx served on the New London City Council for one term from 2015-2017 and is seeking re-election. During her time on Council, she chaired the Public Works Committee and guided the Pedestrian Advisory Committee to update the ordinance for snow removal.

Martha has been both President and Vice President of AFT Local 5119, the union representing nurses and home health aides of the VNASC. As the current Vice President , she is negotiating a contract with Yale New Haven Health System and has been instrumental in ensuring safe working conditions for the union members during the pandemic, a cause she will continue to champion.

She has been a Registered Nurse for 36 years and a home care nurse for the last 20 years. Throughout the years she has cared for the sick of New London and has developed a unique understanding of the needs of our residents which serve her well as a City Councilor especially the needs of the seniors and disabled. Her expertise will help guide the council through the Covid pandemic.

Through her experiences as a State Senate candidate and as Chair of the New London Democratic Town Committee, she has learned the intricacies of state policy and developed relationships that will help her serve as a successful New London Councilor.

Akil Peck:

Akil Peck is a lifelong resident of New London and a family man who is seeking election to the New London City Council. Akil has always been drawn towards volunteering and has served the community in various ways. This includes as the Community Service Director, a disaster response volunteer, and serving on the Boards for both the New London Homeless Hospitality Center and Thames Valley Music School.

As a former business owner, Akil understands what it takes to build not only a business but also a community. If elected to Council, he will work to continue the development of Bank Street, foster and enhance community partnerships and involvement, support New London Public Schools, encourage the investment and promotion of New London’s small businesses, and seek to improve public safety.

Jocelyn Rosario:

Jocelyn Rosario was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. She grew up in a large family of 4 brothers and 2 sisters and her father served in the Army for over 40 years.

She studied graphic design and in 2002 moved to New York City to begin her career.

In 2004 she moved to New London and started attending Three Rivers Community College seeking a degree in Business Administration Management. For the last 17 years, she has been working as an inventory control manager.

She is in the choir at Saint Mary’s Church and an independent vocalist with the band Gropo Yentacion. Helping people is her passion. She enjoys volunteering at different events that promote and aid the entire New London community. As a City Councilor she will raise the voices of the community. She will continue to advocate for the Community Center and insure it meets the needs of youth and seniors and residents of all income levels.

John Satti:

John Satti is seeking his fourth term on New London City Council. Prior to being elected to Council, he served two terms on the New London Board of Education.

During his tenure on Council, he has been elected President Pro Tem and served as Council President. For the 5+ years he has chaired the Education & Park and Recreation Committee and the Schools Building and Maintenance Committee (SMBC). As Chair of SMBC, he oversees $108 million New London High School renovations and $55 million in Middle School renovations.

During his Council tenure, he has attended all budget deliberations and has always advocated for holding a line on taxes. He is proud to have been part of a Council that approved the sale of parcel J, which now houses a 100+ apartment complex and continues to support rebuilding our roads and sidewalks.

His future goals ensure the community center is built in a timely manner and continue the progress the city has seen under the leadership of Mayor Passero.

Elaine Maynard Adams:

Elaine Maynard Adams is seeking her seventh term to the New London Board of Education.

For the last two years, Elaine has served as the Chair of the Policy Committee which has methodically reviewed and updated policies to better adhere to the state and/or federal regulatory requirements.

While we all struggle with the pandemic, she has led the way to make sure all of our students were fully equipped with the electronic devices needed for long-distance learning, food was provided to children and their families, and social, emotional and mental support were provided.

She has also been part of new initiatives such as the New London Public Schools year-round K/1 program, expanded summer programming, opening a new school for pre-K at BP Learned Center, and participated in the Joint Budgetary Task Force with Council members.

When re-elected, Elaine will continue to work on the initiatives above which will lead to the betterment of our students and by extension the entire City of New London.

Bianca Alexis:

Bianca Alexis is seeking her first term on the New London Board of Education. She is a Haitian-American who has lived in New London for 23 years. She is a Clinical Mental Health Therapist who works with a broad range of individuals from ages 12 to adult.

A lifelong learner, Bianca double majored in Psychology and Religious Studies and later obtained graduate degrees in Psychology and Mental Health Counseling. She is currently working towards completing my doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology and Higher Educational Leadership.

Inspired by her mother and her community involvement, Bianca has been an active member of the community for many years. She has worked with numerous New London-based resources such as the Root Center for Advanced Recovery and New London Public Schools.

Bianca’s goal is to ensure that the education of our youth remains a top priority and that our community serves as an exemplary model of growth, diversity, and development. As a school board member, she hopes to contribute to educational reform and success by promoting wellness, equity, and learning. By putting our students' needs first, she strongly believes our community will be a better place and all of our youth will excel.

Nathan Caron:

Nathan Caron is running for the New London Board of Education. He believes that his commitment to education will be one of the catalysts that will lead to a brighter future for New London.

Nathan earned a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT, holds a CT teaching certification in secondary English and previously worked as an eighth-grade ELA teacher in the New London Public Schools system. Additionally, he taught in Los Angeles, CA as a substitute teacher as a part of the school system’s tiered intervention model. Currently, Nathan works in Human Resources for a local municipality and has earned his national SHRM-CP certification.

In addition to his commitment to life-long learning, Nathan is proud to call New London home. Previously, he served New London as City Clerk. Nathan’s passions include the arts. This includes directing a new play that premiered at the Hygienic Art Park. He is incredibly proud to be a part of the New London community, and he hopes to make a greater contribution to its future success as an elected official.

Danni Cruz:

Danni Cruz was appointed to the New London Board of Education in June 2021. He is seeking to be re-elected to serve a full term.

He is a passionate member of the New London community whose love for both the city and education has been instilled in him by his mother. Danni is currently enrolled at UCONN where his ultimate goal is to graduate with a teaching degree and return to New London Public Schools (NLPS) to give back to the community that has given so much to him.

A recent graduate of NLPS, Danni was very active. He served on various committees for the Board of Education as the student voice including Curriculum and the search committee for the principal of the New London High School Campus.

Danni remains steadfastly committed to being a hard-working, passionate voice for New London’s youngest residents and their education for years to come.

Bryan Doughty:

Bryan Doughty currently serves as the Secretary of the New London Board of Education (BOE) and is seeking re-election.

In his first term, he chaired the School Facilities and Program Design Committee which spearheaded the effort to create a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), worked with the City to create a non-lapsing fund, pushed for an enrollment study for Harbor School which will aid in determining the future of the property, and reviewed playground facilities and related maintenance information with an eye toward safety. He served as the parent/BOE representative for the Commissioner’s Network application process for the High School and represented the BOE with a public comment before the CT State BOE. The public comment aided in both the middle and high school gaining entry into the program. As one of the BOE representatives to the Schools Maintenance and Building Committee, Bryan worked to get a shovel in the ground for both our middle and high school projects, fights to keep both projects on time and at or under budget, worked with the state of CT to maximize the reimbursement of dollars to New London once completed, and participated on various contractual negotiations.

Bryan will work to see school projects through to completion, continue to cultivate the relationship with the City with a focus on streamlining and reducing costs while at the same time providing more educational opportunities for our students, continue to support all staff hiring with the hope we can achieve more diversity through recruitment and additionally retaining our staff, hold all accountable to our current policies while developing, refining, or adding policies as needed, and lead by example by continuing to be thorough, following up on all concerns, and informing the community of our (NLPS and City) efforts.

Jefferey Hart:

Jeff Hart is seeking his third term on the New London Board of Education where he is currently Vice President. He has lived in New London for over a decade, working as a tradesman, and raising his family.

Jeff is deeply committed to serving his community and wants to make the public school system work for all of New London’s children. In seeking re-election, he hopes to continue his work on the finance committee where he is currently Chair, fighting for equitable funding, and turning the Student Activity Funds into an asset for the benefit of New London students.

Frank Silva:

Frank is running for his term for Board of Education. A native of the sunny island of Puerto Rico, Frank Silva moved to CT in 2014. He pursued his studies in social work from the University of Connecticut where he graduated with a degree in Human Services and Psychology. He believes that his transition to the US influenced him to take action in eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities. “Individuals who move to the U.S. struggle with adapting to a new system of health care.” He is particularly concerned about the lack of health care professionals who are culturally competent and practice cultural humility.

Frank affirms that our community experiences these same disparities in all systems in our society, including the education system, which leads Frank to take an opportunity to run for the New London Board of Education. He has served the community of New London County for the past fourteen (14) years as both an HIV advocate and a Domestic Violence group facilitator. He has also served on several Boards of Directors including: the Hispanic Alliance of SECT, Ledge Light Health District and Centro de la Comunidad.

Frankie, as his friends and close colleagues call him, has been known to be a man of service, full of kindness and ready to serve others. When not working, Silva enjoys playing the keyboard, singing, jogging, traveling, and spending time with his family, his friends, his church, and his dear goddaughter, Vicky.