Major Political Parties Offering Many Choices For November

By John Voket

Newtown voters will have a multitude of choices to make November 6.

The town’s two major parties, along with a forming minor party whose members first established a local education advocacy group (see separate story), met this week to formally endorse slates of candidates for Election Day 2007.

Over a period of several hours Tuesday, July 24, both local Republican and Democratic parties caucused in separate areas of Edmond Town Hall. According to numerous sources, these were among the most heavily attended caucuses in recent history, each drawing upwards of 100 registered members.

Among the most closely watched of these endorsements were the top of ticket first selectman’s and Board of Selectmen positions. Incumbent First Selectman Herb Rosenthal accepted a unanimous Democratic endorsement along with fellow incumbent Selectman Joseph Bojnowski.

The Republicans endorsed a slate topped by Second District Councilman Joseph Borst for first selectman and retiring Board of Education member Paul Mangiafico for selectman.

Currently, there are two declared petitioning first selectman hopefuls on the radar as well: local businessmen Jay Mattegat and Christian Qualey.

Mr Borst told The Bee last week he could not face another election where the incumbent first selectman ran unopposed.

“I feel a lot of people, like me, believe things are not going as well as they should, and they are looking for a change,” Mr Borst said. “All I know is [the RTC] can’t leave that slot blank, it’s not appropriate.”

He said lacking another viable GOP candidate for first selectman, “I’m going to do it.”

In an acceptance speech before the DTC, Mr Rosenthal cited myriad complexities and challenges that caused him to think long and hard about pursuing what he previously suggested would be his final term as first selectman.

“The complexity makes the job tougher than ever,” he said in a prepared statement. “It is that complexity and the enormity of the challenge that gave me pause to consider whether I would seek another term. In the end, however, it is the complexity and the challenge that compel me to seek another term.”

Mr Rosenthal took to task “a handful of small people,” who he said exploit every opportunity to turn from constructive discussions on important issues to “vitriolic personal attacks,” mostly on elected and appointed volunteers. The first selectman said he is seeing the kind of negativity and “big city politics” locally that has already tarnished many other Connecticut communities.

“People are always upset about things town leaders do or don’t do,” Mr Rosenthal said following the caucus. “But we can only move forward with constructive input versus attacks.”

He specifically cited local businessman and blogger Mathew DeAngelis, “and others like him,” saying, “Your politics are not wanted here.” The first selectman went on to cite his bipartisan service alongside Republican leaders including finance board Chairman John Kortze and Council Chairman Will Rodgers.

Between the two major party caucuses July 24, candidates were endorsed for the following seats:

Republican Legislative Council District 1: Incumbent Joseph DiCandido, George Ferguson, Amy Mangold, and John Aurelia. District 2: Incumbent Patricia Llodra, David Benore, Barbara Bloom, and Robin Buchanan. District 3: Incumbents William Rodgers and A. Jeffrey Capeci, Charles Newman and Constance Widmann.

Democratic First District council incumbent Frances Pennarola, Christopher Brennan Lyddy, Frank M Scalzo, and James McKenna. District 2: Incumbent Timothy J Holian, Christopher M. McArdle, Alan J. Clavette, and former councilman Joseph Hemingway. District 3: Incumbent Daniel J Amaral, Nancy Juliano, Earl J Smith, and Vera E. Smith.

The balance of the endorsed Democratic slate is as follows:

Town clerk: Margaret “Peggy” Baiad

Board of Education: Sara E. Frampton, Julie Luby, and Lillian D. Bittman vying for a single four-year seat, and Anna Wiedemann for a remaining two-year vacancy.

Board of Finance: Incumbents James O. Gaston, Michael E. Portnoy, and John T. Torok, Jr

Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers: Incumbent James T. Juliano and Mary E. Fellows

Board of Assessment Appeals: Charles V. Framularo and Thomas S. Dwyer, Jr

Planning & Zoning: Incumbent Robert H. Poulin and Richard A. English

Zoning Board of Appeals: Ross P. Carley

Police Commission: Incumbent Gerald J. Finnegan, Sr and Roger E. Sperling, Jr

The balance of the endorsed Republican slate includes:

Town clerk: Debbie Aurelia

Board of Education: Kathryn Fetchick, George Caracciolo, and Joseph Porco

Board of Finance: Incumbents John Kortze, Harrison Waterbury, and Joe Kearney

Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers: Incumbent Kathleen Madzula and Marie Smith

Board of Assessment Appeals: John Godin

Planning & Zoning: Dennis Bloom and Robert A. Mulholland, Sr (both current P&Z Alternates)

P&Z Alternates: James Belden and Daniel Cruzon

Zoning Board of Appeals: Incumbents Charles Annette III and Timothy J. Cronin

ZBA Alternates: Incumbent Janis Nezvesky-Schertzer and Roy Meadows

Police Commission: Incumbent Duane H. Giannini and Brian Budd