North Haven DTC Honors Four Longtime Members

The North Haven Democratic Town Committee (DTC) will hold an honorary dinner to recognize four long-time North Haven Democrats who have made significant contributions throughout their lifetimes to the Democratic Party in the North Haven community, as well as to other community organizations. The dinner, which will be held on Wednesday, June 5 at 6:00 p.m. at Ludal's on Broadway, will celebrate Fran Bartlett, Alicia Clapp, Faye Clarke and Norman Juniewic Sr. Tickets are $50 and can be obtained by emailing northhavendemocrats@gmail.com or calling (203) 626-1711.

Fran Bartlett, a resident of North Haven for almost 64 years, has volunteered with the North Haven Drum Corps for 15 years, was involved in PTA and the Commission on Aging, and has been active on the Finance Board at the Senior Center for 24 years. She has knitted or crocheted countless afghans for the North Haven Senior Center fundraisers, as well as teaching knitting in town and at the Cheshire Senior Center. She was the Junior Baking Superintendent at the North Haven Fair for over 20 years and won many blue ribbons for her knitting and crocheted blankets. Bartlett has served on the DTC as a volunteer for a number of Democratic candidates, campaigns, and fundraisers, and she has worked on the town’s Election Day staff in various roles for 45 years.

Alicia Clapp was born in New Haven, the daughter of the New Haven Democratic Town Committee chairman, David McCoy. Her mother, Anna Foley McCoy, while pregnant marched on the New Haven Green for women's right to vote. Clapp says her formative years were spent “stuffing envelopes, licking stamps and listening to speeches.” She had dinner with Eleanor Roosevelt during a 1940 campaigning stop in New Haven.

Clapp’s education career began in 1969 as a kindergarten teacher at Montowese School. She was active in the North Haven Education Association. After her retirement from teaching, Clapp was asked to fill a vacant seat on the Board of Education. She was named unanimously to the Board, a position she held for 20 years. She later became the North Haven Board Representative to the ACES Governing Body, becoming chair in 2005. She was a member of the North Haven DTC for many years and a poll worker at Ridge Road School for many years.

A resident of North Haven since 1958, Faye Clarke’s community activities began in the 1960s, when she participated in the PTA and Girl Scouts. She eventually was elected president of the PTA at Center Elementary School in North Haven, and then president of the Parent/Teacher Council. During her leadership years with the PTA, Clarke helped initiate a school bus study after a tragically fatal accident in town. As a result of the study, sweeping changes were put in place to improve bus safety. Clarke also advocated for vandalism control and child day care.

Clarke served as the First Aid Leader in the Girl Scouts for four years and was also active in the Red Cross, coordinating health care personnel and serving as the Volunteer Disaster Relief Chair for a 15-town area. She served many years as a health screener at Red Cross blood drive events.

Clarke joined the DTC in the mid-1970s. She was elected and served two six-year terms on the North Haven Board of Education. She worked tirelessly on the BOE Finance Committee, with her devotion to children as the driving force behind her efforts. In 1989, she ran for First Selectman, with the late Carmen Romano as her running mate. While she didn’t win the First Selectman’s seat, she served with great purpose and distinction for two years as the minority party representative on the Board of Selectmen.

Norman Juniewic Sr., a resident of North Haven since 1963, has been a long-standing member of the DTC, where he has assisted with numerous fundraising endeavors and political campaigns. His most successful campaign was that of the town’s first Democratic First Selectman, Richard Parrett. Juniewic currently serves on the town’s Board of Assessment Appeals.

Juniewic has long been committed to the community of North Haven and has immersed himself in numerous town organizations, activities, boards, commissions, and committees. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Father James F. Donaher Council 3733. In fact, he celebrated an impressive 50 years with the Knights several years ago. He served in the U.S. Army and has been a member of The American Legion, Post 76, for the past 10 years. He has also volunteered his time, energy, and efforts to assist in organizing North Haven’s bicentennial celebrations.

Juniewic’s charitable and fundraising efforts extend to the North Haven Senior Center’s annual Christmas Bazaar, to which he has volunteered his time and talent for many years.