Resident calls out candidate

#MiddleburyCT #BrianShaban #BudgetReferendum

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

Brian Shaban

Middlebury resident Shannon Martin, in a letter to the editor published in the June 3, 2026, issue of Voices newspaper, accused Middlebury Selectman Brian Shaban of hypocrisy because he failed to vote in the May 6 budget referendum. That referendum included budgets for both the town and Region 15 schools.

Shaban, who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Selectmen, is running to be elected to the position on June 23, 2026. Martin said Shaban’s campaign signs emphasize “family, schools, taxes, services, public input, Middlebury’s future.” She said when these issues are part of a candidate’s campaign, “you should probably vote when families and schools are actually on the ballot.”

The newspaper reached out to Shaban by email, asking him if there was a reason he was unable to vote. He responded, “I was away on a pre-planned family trip to Disney that was scheduled prior to my appointment. As a result, I was unable to vote. I remain fully committed to our schools and families.” Shaban was sworn in as selectman January 13, 2026.

The newspaper emailed Shaban to ask why he did not cast an absentee ballot and is awaiting his response to that question.