Lippy defeats cousin for Manchester mayor

Manchester Mayor-elect Elmer C. Lippy sang "alleluia" just after town officials counted the ballots that won him the office.

But that was because he was at choir practice across the street from the town hall at Trinity United Church of Christ.

Mr. Lippy received 238 votes, defeating second cousin John A. Riley, who received 68 votes.

"I had something politicians desire, and that's name recognition," said Mr. Lippy, 74, a lifelong town resident and former mayor and county commissioner. "Had I lost, the mayorship would have still been in great hands."

Councilmen Christopher B. D'Amario and James J. Singer won election to the Town Council seats they had been appointed to rTC over the last two years to fill vacancies. It was a three-person race.

Mr. D'Amario was the top vote-getter with 253 votes, Mr. Singer received 209 and newcomer Geoffrey Rice received 120.

Voter turnout was 23.5 percent, with 313 of the town's 1,330 registered voters casting ballots.

"I'm pleased," said Mr. D'Amario. "It's going to make for a smooth transition. We're moving in such a positive direction now. I think it will continue with this same group. I think we have an awful lot to do."

He said growth, new sources of water and planning were the top issues facing the town.

"I'd really like to see us get on a five-year plan," he said. "That's very hard to do."

Mr. Lippy was mayor from 1987 until 1990, when he was elected county commissioner.

He lost a bid for re-election as commissioner last fall.

Mr. Lippy said he spent $400 of his own money on the campaign for fliers and letters mailed to all homes of registered voters. He recycled 20 signs from when he ran for commissioner.

"I cheated a little on this because they were pictures of me four years ago," he said. "With my own little hands, I put on white paint and blotted out the 'County Commissioner.' For $24, I bought a stencil in the same lettering that said 'Mayor of Manchester.'

"People thought if I was that tight with my own money, I'd be tight with the taxpayers' money."