Date: Fri 24-Sep-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-Fairfield-Hills

Full Text:

Fairfield Hills Looms As An Election Issue

BY STEVE BIGHAM

With the municipal election little more than a month away, all is noticeably

quiet on the political front. Without a first selectman's race this year, the

excitement so far appears to be missing. There does, however, seem to be

interest in the issues, especially Fairfield Hills, which is expected to play

a factor in the vote.

This year's featured races will be for seats on the Legislative Council where

18 candidates (nine from each party) seek to fill 12 seats. Candidates are

expected to take up the issue of Fairfield Hills, but most say it is still too

early to tell what the best course for the town is.

"It's still too early today, but I really think we will have a very good feel

for things prior to election, and I think we will be able to take position [on

Fairfield Hills] before election day," noted Pierre Rochman, chairman of the

council.

Democratic Town Committee chairman Earl J. Smith does not consider Fairfield

Hills to be a political issue. He sees it as a community issue, where the

integrity of the town is at stake.

"It's not forming up as an issue between Republicans and Democrats. It's being

left up to the individual citizen, regardless of his or her political

affiliation," he said.

Republican party chair Marie Sturdevant agreed, pointing out that now is a

time for dialogue and fact gathering. Fairfield Hills is a complex issue and

determining the best solution is going to take careful planning.

"It's not going to be a one issue campaign. Nobody can make any decisions

until after they have all the facts," she said.

Mr Rochman said Fairfield Hills has become a bigger campaign issue than had

been expected since most of the key decisions will not be made until after the

election.

There are some council candidates, like Ruby Johnson, who are more outspoken

about their stances on Fairfield Hills. For the others, however, voters will

simply have to judge them on their knowledge of the issue.

A Pitch For The Status Quo

Mrs Sturdevant is hoping the incumbents will be returned to office, saying now

is not a time for major changes. The Legislative Council holds the purse

strings to all town spending and the large number of capital projects coming

down the pike could affect the financial status of the town. Others, including

Mr Smith, argue that the newcomers understand the issues and would not miss a

beat if elected.

Of course, should the joint committee of the town and state officials choose

SBC Associates, LLC or Wilder Balter Associates to develop the core campus of

Fairfield Hills, then the Legislative Council's position would be academic.

Those two developers have proposed plans that do not call for any town

spending. However, the council would play a large role should the town/state

committee choose Becker and Becker, whose blueprint includes a financial

partnership with other entities, including the town.

"I think this is going to be an exciting election because I think the council

is the main focus this year, and that is the board which will come up with the

solutions," Mrs Sturdevant said.

Six candidates from each of the town's three districts will be listed on the

November ballot. However, only four candidates from each district can be

elected, and a minimum of one from each party. Currently, the Republicans hold

an 8 to 4 seat advantage.