Local Democrats Confirm Top Of Ticket, GOP Poised To Announce

By John Voket

The race for the first selectman’s office this fall is shaping up to be a long one, with local Democrats getting a head start by putting their top of ticket candidates forward for public consideration weeks ahead of any hint about challengers on the Republican or local Independent tickets.

After announcing Gary Fetzer as the party’s candidates committee choice for first selectman and Councilman Joe Hemingway for Board of Selectmen in early March, local Democrats took the next step in the process April 9 by unanimously endorsing the pair.

This week, Mitch Bolinsky, Newtown Republican Town Committee (RTC) publicity chair told The Bee that his party’s candidates committee “has agreed on an outstanding individual who will run for first selectman in November.” That person, however, has respectfully asked to hold off on the announcement until the RTC rank and file officially confirms a Republican running mate to complete the ticket.

Mr Bolinsky said an open RTC meeting is scheduled for 6 pm Wednesday, April 29, at Republican headquarters, located at the corner of South Main. St. and Wasserman Way. At that time, he said the RTC will vote upon and confirm its November candidates for First Selectman and Selectman. 

Both Republican First Selectman Joe Borst and Democratic Selectman Herb Rosenthal, who previously served ten years as first selectman, have decided to not seek political office come November. And Republican Selectman Paul Mangiafico has said he is strongly considering a run for the town’s top job.

Mr Mangiafico was away on vacation and could not be immediately reached for comment on these latest developments.

The Independent Party of Newtown (IPN) met recently but put forth no information about a 2009 ticket. Four individuals endorsed by the party were elected in 2007: Po Murray and Gary Davis took seats on the Legislative Council; Democrat David Nanavaty, who was not endorsed by his party, won an IPN seat on the school board; and Bruce Walczak was elected to the Police Commission.

Mr Walczak currently serves as the IPN’s chairman.

In his comments following the Democrats’ endorsement of Mr Fetzer and Mr Hemingway, Democratic Town Committee (DTC) Chairman James Juliano said his party’s choice provides an “extremely strong ticket.”

“Both of these candidates have strong resumes and long demonstrated commitments to the town,” Mr Juliano said in a release. “During this time of economic challenges that we all face, it is important to have a team at the top who bring innovative ideas and are committed to creating an atmosphere where everyone works together towards a common goal.”

In addressing assembled members of his party, Mr Fetzer said he was proud to have the Democratic Party endorsement and would work hard over the next months to visit voters and talk to them about a shared vision for Newtown.

“The task the next administration will face is to continue to build upon the strengths of our educational system, create a competitive environment that retains and attracts new businesses, make further progress toward preserving the environment, while not putting an undue strain on already stretched taxpayers,” Mr Fetzer said in the release. “Most importantly, we need to provide the resources and the tools, to allow the backbone of this town, its volunteers, to give them the tools to work efficiently and effectively towards the same goal.”

Mr Fetzer previously served on Newtown’s Board of Selectmen for eight years, chaired a Charter Revision Commission, led the Newtown’s Greenways Committee and the Newtown Aesthetics Committee, served as chairman of the Family Counseling Center and currently teaches government at the University of New Haven.

Mr Hemingway said he was looking forward to working with Mr Fetzer “to help reunite Newtown.”

“I want to tap into the spirit of volunteerism in Newtown, I feel that together we can build a stronger community by helping each other and the town through these tough economic times,” Mr Hemingway said in the release. “We have to get rid of this us vs them mentality and start to look at issues as a community.”

Mr Hemingway previously served as PTA Council president and as co-chair of Support Our Schools, served on the Economic Development Commission, two Charter Revision Commissions, and is serving his sixth year on the Legislative Council.

Mr Juliano said local the Democrats have started the process to put together the remaining ticket, and anyone interested in running for a board or commission in November should contact LeReine Frampton, the DTC candidates committee chair, by email at Lereine@charter.net

Mr Bolinsky articulated a similar invitation to anyone interested in participating in the Republican effort this November, inviting them to visit the RTC website at newtownrepublicans.org.