Editor’s Note: This story is an encapsulated report on this week’s local candidates forum. It is not intended to be a stenographic reproduction of every question that was asked and answered. During the forum, several questions were asked that had already been answered at greater length during the recent Newtown Bee editorial roundtable sessions with the first selectman candidates, which can be found in the October 20, 2023 print edition and also online at newtownbee.com. As a result, we opted to not include that redundant information in the article below.

The candidates for First Selectman — Republican Jeff Capeci and Democrat Dan Cruson — and their Board of Selectmen hopefuls — John Madzula II and Michelle Embree Ku, respectively — spoke their minds and hearts about myriad issues before a filled Edmond Town Hall theater crowd at a public debate on October 24.

The debate, moderated by the League of Women Voters, posed questions to the candidates and gave each one an opportunity to answer the question. Some of the questions came from the league, others were submitted by members of the public and vetted by the league for fairness, lack of snark, and ability to be answered by each candidate.

The first selectman candidates had 60 seconds to respond to each question, while selectmen candidates had just 30 seconds, leading Madzula to begin speaking very quickly in response to later questions in an attempt to get his points across.

The debate stayed civil and friendly, and veered sharply away from divisive national politics. It concentrated on local issues such as traffic on Route 25, economic development to reduce the tax burden on residents, and what to do with the Fairfield Hills campus.

During opening comments, each candidate reiterated their background, with Capeci concentrating on his larger amount of experience compared to the others on the stage. Cruson, meanwhile, concentrated his comments on his desire to maintain an open door policy and listen to all constituents regardless of their political affiliation.

The first question posed was how each candidate would convince voters they were the best person for the job.

Capeci once again concentrated on his experience, noting he has been on the Legislative Council for ten years with three terms as chair, and has worked with current First Selectman Dan Rosenthal on the Board of Selectmen. He said he has “good business acumen” and would make a “great successor to” the outgoing First Selectman, who is not running for office again.

Cruson said he spent the last seven years on the Board of Education, and “learned a lot about Newtown’s government.” He said he has lived in Newtown all his life, his father was the town historian for 27 years so he grew up on stories of Newtown’s history, and he runs two businesses, both of which he maintained through the pandemic.

Madzula said he’s been on the Board of Finance for four years, including the last term as chairman. He said he has worked closely with Capeci as the heads of their respective boards and they have “the ability to collaborate well.”

Embree Ku said collectively, she and Cruson have 15 years of political experience, and that she has a “unique perspective” in being the only one who has served on both the Board of Education and Legislative Council.

Fostering Cooperation

The second question was how candidates would foster cooperation across the political divide and across constituencies, instead of division.

Cruson said the “biggest piece” was bringing people together, and for him he would maintain “as much of an open door policy as I can.” He said he wanted to hear from people regardless of which side of the aisle the person is on, and wants to be challenged. He said he has often come in to an issue of one mind and has had his mind changed by solid arguments.

Capeci said he has worked for 20 years with both Democrats and Republicans, and has neighbors and friends of both political stripes. He said he would listen to everyone’s concerns and try to come up with “practical solutions.” He said Newtown is “a close-knit” community and the town is “not as divided” as it is at the state and federal level. He said he could “speak with anyone and find solutions that work for them.”

Ku said she and Cruson were unique in that they worked together on the BOE, and that while serving there is “no difference between Democrats and Republicans partisan-wise” in how they solved problems. She said that partisan issues did not come and “that’s how we need to be as leaders.”

Madzula noted as BOF chair, he worked with three other Republicans and two Democrats, and there was “no partisanship” and “no disagreements.” He said both sides had the same wants and needs for the town.

Traffic Congestion

The candidates were asked how they would deal with the congestion that plagues town, especially along Route 25.

Capeci said he would work with state legislators as well as the state Department of Transportation to make a case for traffic calming on Route 25 and “what changes can be made.” He said that Exit 11 off Interstate 84 “was a mess” but there has been huge progress in cleaning up the traffic flow in that area. He said he hoped something like that could be done on Route 25.

Cruson said that Route 25 has “been a nightmare” for his entire life and he has heard many different suggestions about what should be done or not be done. He also noted that when Interstate 84 backs up, GPS sends drivers onto Newtown’s local roads, especially Route 25, causing them to snarl. He said that one thing that could be looked at are “those outside influences” that send people through town when Interstate 84 backs up.

Madzula said that the town needs “a better plan” and should work with state and local officials to improve it. He said every road suffers from heavy traffic and they should work with the Police Commission to find the best solutions, as well as work with companies that burden the town roads with their trucks.

Ku said “clearly” the town must work with state agencies to improve traffic on state roads. She also suggested the AARP Safe Streets program, which could help keep pedestrians and drivers safe.

Affordable Housing

The league asked the candidates about the type of affordable housing they would like to see to aid first time buyers and seniors.

Cruson said that he has heard a “lot about housing” with a “lot of different thoughts” and noted that Newtown has a large inventory of larger homes and needs more moderately priced and starter homes. He thought that ways needed to be sought to help seniors looking to “right size.” He said that he supported an effort to put mixed use retail and residential buildings in the Fairfield Hills campus.

Capeci said he knows that Newtown has many large homes, and as a person who would love to stay in Newtown when he retires, he also wants his son and daughter to be able to live in town if they choose. He mentioned seeking ways to help a proposed 55 and older apartment building at 6 Commerce become more appealing to residents in a way that “makes both parties happy.”

Ku said the town needs to make sure that affordable housing units are within proposed plans by developers.

Madzula suggested that lowering the tax burden was the best way to make Newtown more affordable.

Communications

When asked about ways to keep voters informed on issues, Cruson responded that he thought texted and emailed alerts were some of the best ways. He said he noticed that the town’s website has been somewhat neglected and he would support it being more regularly updated. He said that engagement with the local newspapers, particularly The Newtown Bee, was important, and that the town should be seeking “as many points of contact as possible.”

Capeci responded that the town does reach out to the public in a number of different ways, including the website, text messages, and CODE reds, which are all “great ways to reach out” and “very helpful.”

Ku said she was thankful to The Bee for keeping people informed, and that Newtown was unique in still having its own hometown paper. She said that there could be more layers and the town should make sure that agendas and minutes are posted for people so people know what is going on.

Madzula said that the Town website is important, as well as reaching out to residents via phone or text. He said that the sandwich boards put out to announce things like elections are “old fashioned but still relevant.” He also said the town should utilize all available media, including newspapers like The Bee.

Short- & Long-Term Goals

The final question concerned the candidates’ short- and long-term goals.

Cruson said he wanted Newtown to “maintain its charm,” and that he wanted his kids to be able to come back and raise their own families here. He said it is important to manage the budget and spending to keep the town affordable, managing traffic, and making sure the town’s great school system remains great.

Capeci said that short-term he wants to make sure that all currently ongoing town projects are completed on time. Long-term, he wants to make sure that the infrastructure is there to take care of the needs of the town. He noted the Fairfield Hills campus as a priority, and said it could have a large role in becoming a “vibrant center of town.”

Ku said her short- and long-term goals are the same: preserve the town’s history and its open spaces. She said Newtown is an “incredible town” with its bodies of water, farmland, and forests, and she wants to preserve that. She said that she wants to see Fairfield Hills become “a vibrant part of town.”

Madzula said that short-term he would like to continue what is in place “but improve on it.” Long-term, he said improving the Fairfield Hills campus and making Newtown a good place for his children to return to are important to him. Additionally, he wanted to see traffic improvements on Interstate 84.

Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.