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Campaign To Focus On Legislative Council Seats

BY STEVE BIGHAM

With the absence of a first selectman race in Newtown this year, the focus is

expected to shift to the Legislative Council. Eighteen candidates, including

11 incumbents, are vying for the 12-seat board.

Both the Republicans and Democrats feel they have a very strong slate. The GOP

is looking to maintain the 8 to 4 seat advantage it currently holds. The

Democrats, on the other hand, have their eyes set on picking up a seat or two.

The Legislative Council holds the purse strings to all town spending. No doubt

this year's campaign will center around the future of the Fairfield Hills

property and other issues that could affect the financial status of the town.

The incumbents believe it is especially important that they be returned to

office this year. After all, they say, the incombents have the experience and

understanding of the issues. Newtown is facing numerous large and expensive

projects which the existing council has already been studying. This is not a

time for change, they say.

Others will argue that the newcomers understand the issues and would not miss

a beat if elected. The town government is not going to collapse if incumbents

are not returned to office, due to a high turnover rate, they say.

Republicans

The GOP slate includes seven incumbents and two newcomers. "It's a group of

candidates that I'm proud to put forward," said Republican Town Committee

chair Marie Sturdevant.

Heading the list from District I is Pierre Rochman, the council's chairman,

who has been on the board for more than ten years. Mr Rochman owns Mill Plain

Cleaners in Danbury.

Don Studley, a certified public accountant, is a key member of the council's

finance committee and chairman of its public works committee. He is a

candidate from District I, but recently sold his house. That might force the

Republicans to do some re-arranging.

Ed Lucas, a local printer, is making a bid for a second term on the board.

During his first term, he was a key member of both the ordinance and public

safety committees.

Longtime council member Joe Borst looks to return to his seat in District II

where he has served as the chairman of the council's education committee.

Newcomer Andrew Buzzi seeks to fill the seat vacated by Karen Blawie, who

opted not to seek re-election. Mr Buzzi, an attorney, is a member of the

Public Building & Site Committee and vice chairman of the Republican Town

Committee.

Newcomer Richard Carnaghi added his name to the slate of GOP candidates at the

11th hour. He is a retired businessman and a graduate of West Point.

In District III, Brian White looks to retain his seat for a second full term.

The certified public accountant is considered a key member of the education

committee and currently serves on the Fairfield Hills advisory board.

John Kortze, a financial adviser for Prudential Securities, is chairman of the

finance committee, playing a key role in the town's planning for future

growth. He seeks his third term on the board.

Will Rodgers, a local attorney, has emerged as a leader on the council and

serves as chairman of the council's ordinance committee. He seeks re-election

to his second full term.

The Democrats

The Democrats return all four incumbents to their slate of candidates. They

are joined by five newcomers, three of whom have strong ties to education and

one with a strong tie to the first selectman.

"I think it's a good cross section," noted Democratic Town Committee Chairman

Earl J. Smith. "There are a number of new names. All of these new people that

have been recommended have been nominated because they have a reputation of

being doers and getting the job done."

Heading the list of candidates in District I is longtime council member

Melissa Pilchard. A local realtor, Mrs Pilchard has been an outspoken member

of the council for more than 20 years. She is currently the council's vice

chair.

Charles Browne III makes his second bid for election to the council after

losing by just 49 votes in 1997. Mr Browne is in the advertising business and

has been a justice of the peace since 1986.

Daniel Rosenthal, a former alternate on the Planning & Zoning Commission, has

proved to be an active and hard working leader. In his late 20s, Dan is the

son of First Selectman Herb Rosenthal and grandson of longtime first selectman

Jack Rosenthal.

In District II, Peggy Baiad seeks election to a second term after serving on

the council's ordinance and public works committees. "Peggy is a doer. If she

accepts a task, it will be done well," Mr Smith said.

Timothy Holian, a local attorney and longtime resident, also seeks a second

term on the council. Mr Holian served on both the ordinance and public works

committees during his first term.

Newcomer Joseph Hemingway is currently president of the PTA Council and has

been actively involved in a number of committees and activities within the

school system.

In District III, Lisa Schwartz seeks re-election to a third term. The chairman

of the public safety committee is the mother of two young children and brings

a unique perspective to the council.

Ruby Johnson, a former Board of Education member, makes her first bid for the

council. Mrs Johnson, skilled in research, led the effort to convince town

officials to reconsider their decision not to buy Fairfield Hills. She is a

member of the Fairfield Hills advisory board.

Anna Wiedemann, a local real estate agent, is a former PTA Council president

who has been outspoken on a number of school-related issues.