Marcia Chambers Photo
RTM member Lynda Mollow and Board of Selectmen member Jack Ahern (pictured) will seek the town’s top Democratic positons in the local Branford election this November.
Active and engaged in local education and economic issues, Mollow,49, said she grew concerned that residents did not have a voice in local issues shaping the town of Branford. She decided to run for a position on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) in 2015 and won a seat representing the 7th District on the 30-member legislative board. All members of the RTM are up for re-election in November.
Mollow is seeking the first selectman’s slot now held by Republican Jamie Cosgrove who is completing his fourth year in office. Cosgrove is expected to run again. The Branford Democratic and Republican parties officially select their candidates at their respective caucuses in July.
Mollow has had a long career as a nurse, one that spans 20 years. “I have spent my life caring for people – people requiring support for AIDS-related conditions, receiving cancer chemotherapy treatments, and coordinating stem cell transplantation. However, this dedication to help those in need has reached far beyond my career in health care,” she said in prepared remarks.
Long active in public school before and after programs, she helped to introduce the national “Fuel Up to Play 60” program in Branford and East Haven public schools. “I was proud to partner with Branford families and local businesses” to create these programs, she said.
Mollow has also been active on the board of directors of the Community Dining Room.
She has called Branford home for over 15 years with her husband, Dr. Michael Mollow, and their two children, William and Evelyn.
Ahern Seeks Re-Election
Ahern, 56, sought elected office for the first time in 2015 when he won a spot on the Board of Selectmen.The Board of Selectmen in Branford consists of three elected members.
Ahern has deep roots in Branford. A firefighter for 35 years, Ahern served as the Branford Fire Chief for 12 years. He is skilled in town processes and experienced with creating and managing budgets.
Ahern and his wife, Lisa, have raised five children, Leah, Caitlin, John, Michele, and Charlie. After Ahern retired he went to work for a private communications company based in Naugatuck, Northeastern Communications, as customer support manager. He works on designs, sales, and service for two-way radio and data systems.
“My dedication to serve the people of this community has extended beyond the firehouse and a career as a fire officer. I have worked hard throughout my career to obtain several large community grants to help provide communications, vehicles and building components – all of which saved taxpayers significantly,” Ahern said.
Ahern and Mollow plan to campaign door-to-door as the campaign unfolds. The election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017.
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