Date: Fri 25-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-Council-Smith

Full Text:

Democratic Leader Foresees A Power Shift On The Council

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Fifteen years ago, Jack Rosenthal was elected to a second term of office as

first selectman. His landslide win also helped change the makeup of the

Legislative Council as the Democrats took over the majority for the first

time.

"We went from 12 Republicans and 6 Democrats to 12 Democrats and 6

Republicans," Mr Rosenthal recalled earlier this week.

As the 1999 political season begins to heat up, the Democrats are looking

forward to similar results. This time it is Jack Rosenthal's son, First

Selectman Herb Rosenthal, who appears to be headed for a second term in

office, and, according to town committee chairman Earl J. Smith, there is a

long list of Democrats who have indicated interest in a run at the

Republican-led council.

Mr Smith believes the chances are good for a shift in power on the council

from the Republicans to the Democrats.

"It's a good kind of atmosphere for us, but we don't take anything for

granted. We have a lot of work to do," he said.

In 1997, the Democrats picked up a fourth seat on the Legislative Council when

Tim Holian, Melissa Pilchard, Peggy Baiad and Lisa Schwartz were all

victorious. Prior to that, the Democrats had to settle for the three-seat

minority party minimum (the council is now a 12-seat board). The Democrats

nearly picked up a fifth seat; Democrat Bill Denlinger lost to Republican

Karen Blawie by just five votes.

Is this the year the Democrats make their move toward a majority? It all

depends on who the candidates are, noted long-time council member Melissa

Pilchard, a Democrat.

"There's no question that people are saying that obviously a Democrat can do a

good job as first selectman and people would be willing to elect a Democrat to

the council if we put up good candidates," she said. "Finding good candidates

for either party is hard, though."

Newtown voters have gained a reputation for splitting the ballot when it comes

to local elections. They tend to vote for the candidates they are most

familiar with, and vote the party line only when unfamiliar with the

candidate.

And it only makes sense, council members say. Most votes on the council --

including the budget -- have less to do with partisanship and more to do with

individual judgments on what is best for the town.

It is for that reason, however, that GOP party leader Marie Sturdevant

believes there is no compelling reason for big changes on the council this

year.

"We've got a wonderful council right now," noted Mrs Sturdevant, who also

serves as the board's clerk. "It's a bipartisan group that works well

together. Some of them are in their second terms so this is not a good time

for a lot of high turnover."

Mrs Pilchard agrees.

"There are some really, really critical things coming up. It would be

difficult for someone just to pop in there without any experience. I hope

those thinking of running have been involved in the big issues," she said.

The "big issues" include what to do with $40 million worth of impending

capital items, municipal space needs, and the future of Fairfield Hills.

Legislative Council decisions on these issues are expected to be made toward

the early part of next year -- just weeks after a new council is sworn in.