Open Council Seats Draw A Crowd Of Candidates
Open Council Seats Draw A Crowd Of Candidates
By Steve Bigham
Five years ago, the Republican Party held a 9-3 advantage in seats on the Legislative Council. That lead was cut to 8-4 four years ago, and the gap was closed to 7-5 two years ago. As the municipal election draws closer, the Democrats are hoping to continue the trend, evening up the score at 6-6, or going one step further and taking over the majority.
The Republicans on the other hand are looking to reverse the recent trend and increase their council majority.
The Legislative Council holds the purse strings to all town spending. This year, financing the future of Fairfield Hills and other fiscal issues are expected to dominate the election debate.
Right now, the race appears wide open as at least 20 candidates are vying for the 12-seat board. Five current council members have opted not to seek reelection; many of them are council leaders. Those stepping off include chairman Pierre Rochman (R), vice chairperson Melissa Pilchard (D), and finance subcommittee chairman John Kortze. Ruby Johnson (D) did not receive her partyâs nomination and Doug Brennan (R) chose not to run again and has lent his support to the newly formed NICE Party.
Those seven hoping to return are Peggy Baiad (D), Joe Borst (R), Tim Holian (D), Will Rodgers (R), Dan Rosenthal (D), Don Studley (R), and Brian White (R).
The list of newcomers includes both new and familiar faces. The Democrats have put up former Board of Education Chairman Amy Dent, local school support and Charter Revision Commission member Joe Hemingway, attorney Francis Pennarola, lifelong Sandy Hook resident James Shpunt, and Eugene Vetrano. The Democrats are still seeking one final candidate.
Republicans seeking election to the council are attorney Andrew Buzzi, businessman Joseph DiCandido, Kendro Labs director Michael J. Iassogna, former Police Commission chairman William F. Meyer, and attorney Patrick M. Mullins.
On Wednesday, the NICE Party announced the candidacies of Robert Hennessey and Jonathan Bick (District II). Other candidates are also expected to be announced later in the week.
Not everyone will get elected and the town charter stipulates that no more than three members can be elected to each district. Early on, the race in District III looks interesting as the Republicans go with the experience of Rodgers, Studley, and White, three key members of the council. Mr Rodgers chairs the Ordinance Committee and Mr Studley and Mr White both serve on the finance committee. Mr Studley had previously been elected to District I, but moved in the middle of his term. The Republicans are putting up just four council incumbents and three of them are in District III.
Democrats Shpunt, Dent, and Vetrano are all newcomers, but carry with them significant name recognition.
In District I, the Republicans have put up Meyer, Iassogna, and DiCandido. Mr Meyer did serve on the council years ago, but unlike the District III Republican candidates, none are incumbents. The Democratic candidates in District I are Pennarola, Rosenthal, and a person to be named later.
District III Republican candidates are Mr Buzzi, Mr Borst, and Mr Mullins. The Democrats will go with Mrs Baiad, Mr Holian, and Mr Hemingway.