Date: Fri 28-Aug-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-112th-Dist.-primary

Full Text:

Primary Race Draws Attention To 112th Dist. Race

(with cuts)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

There is an interesting race heating up for the now-vacant seat in the 112th

District as Republicans Ed Callo and Pat Shea prepare for battle in a

September 15 primary.

The winner faces Democrat Andrew Nunn. All three candidates are from Monroe,

which makes up most of the 112th District. Only a small portion of Newtown

lies within the district. However, the 112th District received a great deal of

publicity in recent months due to the exploits of its former state legislator,

Bill Varese, who was arrested in March following drunken driving and evading

responsibility charges in Bridgeport.

Mr Varese's alleged misdeeds helped bring about this interesting run on the

Republican side. A brief history:

Mr Varese declined to step down from his seat despite being urged to do so by

members of his party. Mrs Shea, opting to provide Republicans with a second

choice, announced she would challenge Mr Varese in June. Three weeks later, Mr

Varese remained in the race --until he came to Newtown. Republicans here

continued to push for his resignation. Finally, Mr Varese agreed not to run

again, according to Marie Sturdevant, chair of the Republican Town Committee,

but only on the condition that Newtown delegates support Mr Callo at the

caucus the following week. Newtown's delegates, Jim and Marie Smith and

Barbara O'Connor, went to the caucus uncommitted.

"They had the feeling of non-committal from the town committee," Mrs

Sturdevant said.

At the caucus in Monroe, Mr Callo received the support from all the Monroe

delegates and Barbara O'Connor. However, the Smiths voted for Mrs Shea and

those two votes were what opened the door for her to primary.

Pat Shea

Mrs Shea, a Monroe resident for the past 33 years, feels confident she can

win. She is being backed by several Monroe residents who are or have been

involved in politics. In an effort to spread the word about her candidacy, Mrs

Shea has been bicycling on weekends around both Monroe and Newtown.

Mrs Shea, who runs her own corporate relocation business, said her basic

promise to voters is to bring their voice to Hartford. She pledges to listen

to constituents' ideas, complaints and interests. Her top issues include:

safer roads (like reducing traffic on Route 25), cutting taxes (she opposes

the state income tax) and long-term improvements in the quality of life and

education.

Mrs Shea has a long history of volunteer and community service work.

"In my volunteer work and professional life I have met and worked with people

who mirror the interests of the 112th District," she said. "The understanding

and knowledge I've gained will help me reflect those interests."

Pat Shea supporters will be gathering at the gazebo on the green near the

Monroe Town Hall on Sunday from 3 to 5 pm to discuss the campaign issues.

Ed Callo

Mr Callo has been in Seattle for several days and was unavailable for comment.

He may be familiar to Newtown residents from his former position as

clerk-of-the-works for the Cyrenius Booth Library expansion project. Town

officials are quick to point out that he was not to blame for the problems

there. In fact, his hard work helped keep a bad situation from getting any

worse.

Fiscally conservative, Mr Callo supports efforts to eliminate the income tax,

decrease the gasoline tax, and reduce government spending. He believes in home

rule and a decentralized government.

He is opposed to mandated regional schools and said HMOs need to be regulated.

He called for diligence in controlling growth in the 112th District by

preserving open space.

Mr Callo called for the improvement of traffic problems on Route 25, but with

the least impact on businesses. He is concerned about the widening of the

Route 34 bridge at the Stevenson Dam. He said it must be examined for its

potential impact on the area. It could cause increased truck traffic, he said,

wondering if the state's ultimate goal is to widen the road all the way to

Interstate 84 in Newtown.