Rosenthal Returned To Office; Council Stays Republican

By Steve Bigham

Herb Rosenthal was returned to office as Newtown’s first selectman Tuesday, defeating challenger Owen Carney, 3,225 to 2,469. He becomes the town’s first three-term leader since his father, Jack, who served a total of six terms, from 1976-1988.

Mr Rosenthal’s victory was bittersweet, however, as his son, Dan, lost his seat on the Legislative Council. It was a surprise upset and it provided some mixed emotions at Democratic headquarters in Sandy Hook.

 “It’s certainly feels gratifying to have been reelected. The only thing that would have been better is if some of the other fine people that had worked so hard would have also won. That includes my son, Dan, Jim Shpunt, and Gene Vetrano,” Mr Rosenthal told his supporters.

Also on Tuesday, voters approved the creation of a Board of Finance in a charter revision ballot question. They also favored a charter change to require a second budget referendum when the initial budget is rejected in a townwide vote. Changes to the town government had been presented at the polls as five separate questions, only, two of which were approved. The Board of Selectmen was retained and the Legislative Council must now share its budget-making responsibilities with the Board of Finance. Officials are uncertain how these changes will affect the overall budget process. The result, critics have argued, simply creates another level of government. The Board of Finance needs to be in place within 30 days (see related story).

The Council Race

The Republicans managed to maintain a 7-5 advantage on the Legislative Council as incumbents Joe Borst (District 2) and District 3 council members Will Rodgers, Don Studley, and Brian White all won easily. GOP newcomers Michael Iassogna, Bill Meyer, and Joseph DiCandido, all from District 1, were also victorious.

District 2 belonged to the Democrats as incumbents Peggy Baiad and Tim Holian were returned to office, and Joe Hemingway was elected for the first time. Democrat Francis Pennarola was elected to serve in District 1 and Amy Dent pulled it off for the Democrats in District 3.

Selectmen Bill Brimmer and Joe Bojnowski were also returned to office and will retain their seats for two more years. A proposed change to the charter would have eliminated the board. Voters rejected that plan.

“We live to see another day,” Mr Brimmer rejoiced.

Mr Carney stopped by Democratic headquarters at 9:30 pm to congratulate Mr Rosenthal, his longtime friend. Mr Carney ignored conventional political wisdom and chose to avoid the mudslinging often taken up by political challengers. The two men shook hands and thanked one another for running gentlemen-like campaigns.

Many said Mr Rosenthal’s biggest vote took place back in June when the town voted overwhelmingly in favor of purchasing Fairfield Hills from the state. The first selectman worked hard to negotiate a deal with the state and was given much of the credit for seeing the job through.

Mr Carney said many in town felt it was time for a change and he felt that sentiment would lead to an upset victory. He learned Tuesday that only 43 percent of the voters who went to the polls wanted change.

“The numbers weren’t there,” Mr Carney said. “I thought they were, but let’s face it, people change their minds on a daily basis. Somebody may say `it’s time for a change,’ then after September 11 a lot of people may have thought differently.”

Despite his disappointment, Mr Carney acknowledged that this was his first run at politics and he vowed it would not be his last.

“I didn’t go for some minor slot. I went for the top of the ticket,” he said. “I’m not vanishing off the political playing field. I’ll sleep well tonight. This is not the end of the world.”

The former police captain said he would likely be back two years from now.

Mr Rosenthal took office in 1997 after soundly defeating Republican Russ Melita. He ran unopposed in 1999. He will be sworn in again December 1.

Dan Rosenthal showed he is both a gracious winner and loser, showing up at GOP headquarters to congratulate the winners.

In the only other race, Republican Dan Fogliano and Democrat Lilla Dean were reelected to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Democratic challenger Richard Eigen’s bid for a seat fell short.

Town Clerk Cindy Simon – running unopposed – was reelected, as were Board of Education members Elaine Schwartz, a Republican, and Democrats Lisa Schwartz and Margaret Hull. All three ran unopposed as did those elected to the Police Commission, Town Hall Board of Managers, Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Assessment Appeals.

A total of 5,803 voters (40 percent of the 14,563 registered voters) turned out at the polls Tuesday.