1999 Promises A Different

Kind Of Election

By Steve Bigham

The 1999 municipal election is less than three weeks away, but all remains noticeably quiet here in Newtown. Just two years ago, Herb Rosenthal was engaged in a protracted and vigorous contest for the position of first selectman.

But for only the second time this century, the town’s first selectman will run unopposed. The Republicans made sure of that a few months back when they failed to come up with a viable candidate. At the time, GOP credited the leadership of Mr Rosenthal and suggested that now is not the time for change.

So, with Mr Rosenthal assured of another two-year term, all eyes have turned to the Legislative Council and the 18 candidates who seek to serve on it.

Despite being a quiet political season, the results of this year’s election could be significant. Numerous key decisions will be made sometime after the new council is sworn in this winter. Among those is the issue of Fairfield Hills and its future re-use. Also, the town now has a capital improvement plan with more than $60 million worth of pending capital projects. There are many tough decisions to be made, says council chairman Pierre Rochman. He worries that some incumbents may lose on Election Day, filling the council with inexperience at a time when experience is so vital.

 

Legislative Council

In The Limelight

Unlike most municipal elections in Newtown where the first selectman candidates take center stage, the Legislative Council members now are the center of attention. All 18 are expected to be on hand for the Chamber of Commerce/Lions Club’s Pizza & Politics Night October 26 at the Fireside Inn. Never has the event featured as many as 18 candidates on the podium at one time. That may very well be the case later this month.

Both the Chamber and the Lions Club were slated to discuss how the format for Pizza & Politics would work later this week. One suggestion would be to have all 18 candidates up on stage. A second would have nine teams of two candidates moving from table to table answering questions as they went.

“We certainly have an interesting and unique scenario this year,” noted Chamber of Commerce President Anne Ragusa.

In past years, noted Democratic Town Committee Chairman Earl J, Smith, the Legislative Council candidates got to sit in the crowd enjoying their pizza and soda. The first selectman candidates received the attention, while the council was more of an afterthought.

“It’s a whole new approach, a whole new slant this year. The focus is on the council candidates whether they like it or not,” he said.

“When you sit on the council, you realize it is a little bit awesome in what you are empowered to do as a member,” Mr Smith said.

The added exposure of this year’s Legislative Council race may also give residents a deeper appreciation for what the board does. It is made up of the so-called “behind-the-scenes” people who help make the town operate. The council’s two main responsibilities are acting as the finance board for the town and passing ordinances.

Republican Selectman Bill Brimmer, who formerly served on the council, suggested that less may be more this election year. The lack of a race for first selectman, he noted, may give voters an opportunity to learn more about the workings of the Legislative Council and the importance of its work.

Over the years, some of the most relevant and tension-filled meetings have been the Legislative Council’s. Often, budget votes come down to one person, and all eyes are on that council member.

“I don’t think people realize that there are different branches of government in Newtown. It’s a good civics lesson,” said Republican council member Karen Blawie, who is not seeking reelection in order to spend more time with her family.

With her hat not in this year’s political ring, Mrs Blawie says she is looking forward to the next two weeks as this unique situation unfolds.

“I believe people will vote the issues, and once the new council members are in place they will be held accountable because there is no first selectman’s race this year and there is a field of 18 council candidates,” she said.

Mrs Blawie, known for taking strong stands against excessive budgets, said it is about time council members be asked the tough questions about Fairfield Hills, town spending and other issues. With the focus now on the council, she believes this is a perfect year to make sure council members make good on their promises.

This year’s Legislative Council candidates include:

District 1: Charles B. Bowne, III (D), Melissa Pilchard (D), Pierre Rochman (R), Daniel Rosenthal (D), Donald Studley (R), Edward Lucas (R);

District 2: Peggy Baiad (D), Joseph Borst (R), Douglas Brennan (R), Andrew Buzzi (R), Joseph Hemingway (D), Timothy Holian (D);

District 3: Ruby Johnson (D), John Kortze (R), William Rodgers (R), Lisa Schwartz (D), Brian White (R), Anna Wiedeman (D).