Newtown’s Political Groundhogs Examine Their Shadows

By Steve Bigham

Newtown’s local elections may still be nine months away, but those active in local politics are already talking about what might be in store. And with the passing of Groundhog Day last Friday, The Bee surveyed local politicians to see what political omens they had seen in their shadows.

Republican Town Committee Chairman Marie Sturdevant arrived back from her Caribbean vacation just in time to join Punxsutawney Phil in a little shadow watching. But as she reports this week, it wasn’t her shadow that she saw. Instead, it was what she calls a surging Republican Party ready to take 2001 by storm.

“We’re going to come out of the shadow and into the limelight,” she remarked. To date, according to Mrs Sturdevant, the Republicans have not selected a candidate for first selectman, but they do have one or more “strong” candidates already in the pool of possible candidates. The GOP is still accepting resumes and is expected to announce its decision next month. Rest assured, the Republicans will be putting up someone they think can win, the town committee chairman said. Russ Melita lost badly in 1999 and the party did not even field a candidate in 1999.

“We’re getting energized. We’re ready to start rolling,” Mrs Sturdevant said.

Some Republicans are under the impression that a candidate has already been chosen. Both Mrs Sturdevant and Carol Mattegat, who heads the GOP’s candidates committee, say this simply is not the case.

“We don’t have a candidate lined up. We are still accepting resumes,” Mrs Mattegat said last month. “Some people have expressed interest. Whether we will go with them or not, I don’t know.”

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said he was disappointed to hear the Groundhog had seen his shadow because it meant six more weeks of winter. According to the Groundhog, a lot more snow may be coming and that means the town may have to spend even more money on storm cleanup.

As for whether or not he will run for a third term, Mr Rosenthal said his mind simply is not on politics these days. Instead, he has been working on the Fairfield Hills issue, the town budget, and various other day-to-day issues facing the town.

“I will certainly be assessing whether or not I will run again, but it’s not the first and foremost thing on my mind. Those things tend to work themselves out for themselves,” he said.

The Republicans say they will announce their first selectman candidate in March. Mr Rosenthal said his decision would come sometime later in the spring.

Many are also anticipating a few announcements from another group in town, often referred to as Barry Piesner’s group. Officially, they are known as the Newtown Property Owners Association and they are prepared to make a serious run at many town seats. No word yet on whether this group will put up a first selectman candidate, but Mr Piesner says his group may also be coming out from the shadows. No doubt, this group will have plenty to say in the coming political debate.

Actions, and not just words, will setting the political stage for November, however. Mr Rosenthal admits that the local election will be a referendum on his administration.

“An awful lot of things are coming together at the same time. Depending on the timing, it could impact the election substantially,” noted Legislative Council Chairman Pierre Rochman. “For example, if the issue of Fairfield Hills were to come to a head at the same time as the election or just prior, people might vote accordingly. On other hand, if the issue has not been resolved, some may feel it is time for a change in the administration. The timing of things may be as important as the issue itself.”

The work of the Charter Revision Commission and its recommendations for changes in the town government are also expected to figure prominently as election issues. So far, the commission says it may call for sweeping changes in the overall structure of the government.

The only surefire prognostication to come from Newtown’s political groundhogs this week is that there will be nine more months until the election.