Rosenthal Makes It Official: He’s Running Again

By Steve Bigham

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal officially announced his plans to seek reelection to a third term in office Tuesday afternoon on the front steps of Shelton House at Fairfield Hills.

He was joined there by Democratic Selectman Joe Bojnowski, who will also seek a third term. Wives Michelle Rosenthal and Jane Bojnowski were also on hand, as were about 20 or so friends, family members, and town employees who showed their support for the Democratic team.

Mr Rosenthal’s decision to make his announcement at Fairfield Hills has symbolic value. The disposition of the former state mental health facility has been a major component of his first four years in office and presumably will continue to be in the years to come… should he be reelected.

Last month’s vote by residents to purchase the 189-acre campus from the state helped validate Mr Rosenthal’s four years in office. Along the way, he was criticized by some for taking so long and for keeping details of his dealings with the state so close to his vest. In the end, however, the Fairfield Hills purchase was given a ringing endorsement and he hopes people remember his key role in that purchase on Election Day in November.

Unlike two years ago when he ran unopposed, Mr Rosenthal, 54, has an opponent this time around. Republican Owen Carney, a former member of the Newtown Police Department, announced his candidacy last March and has been waiting in the wings. He is expected to raise his profile now that Mr Rosenthal has joined the race.

Fairfield Hills is expected to figure prominently in the campaign. On Tuesday, Mr Rosenthal was quick to outline his plan of action in the town’s efforts to move forward with Fairfield Hills. He intends to hire a planning firm to assist the town as it develops a master plan. All along, the first selectman has assured townspeople that the future use of Fairfield Hills will be a town decision.

In his speech, Mr Rosenthal also pledged to continue to work on roads, buildings and other infrastructure, finances, open space preservation, recreation, education, public safety, and the elimination of eyesores.

“When we say we will do something we will do it,” Mr Rosenthal said.

In a review of the highlights of his four years, Mr Rosenthal pointed to the reorganization of the Public Works Department and land-use agencies and the protection of the Kelda Lands (almost 700 acres of which are in Newtown). He also pointed to his administration’s success in keeping general government operating budgets at minimal increases, upgrading the town’s bond rating and the creation of tax relief ordinances for senior citizens and fire and EMS volunteers.

Mr Rosenthal also had a hand in the town’s efforts to establish a single, combined 99 emergency dispatch center, appointed the first full-time fire marshal, and supported funds for more safety inspections, and for increasing the number of authorized police personnel.

But Mr Rosenthal’s most significant achievement may be the successful negotiation of favorable terms and conditions for purchasing Fairfield Hills from the state.

“This land in the heart of our community will help us to control and protect the future character of Newtown,” Mr Rosenthal stated. “Thankfully, the overwhelming majority of the almost 900 people who attended the town meeting endorsed our plan.”

Mr Rosenthal credited the efforts of the Board of Selectmen, which also includes Republican Selectman Bill Brimmer, the Legislative Council and his staff of Carole Ross, Jan Andras and Mary Kelley, as well as town employees and officials.

A Newtown resident since 1953, Mr Rosenthal is the father of four children. Prior to becoming first selectman four years ago, Mr Rosenthal had been in the business of insurance, investments and financial planning since 1971. He was also a longtime member of the Board of Education, serving as chairman for much of that time.

Mr Rosenthal’s father, Jack, was first selectman in Newtown from 1976-1988.