Parties Pick 2005 Slates—

No Big Surprises

At Party Caucuses

By John Voket

Fewer than 100 party faithful essentially determined who will be vying for seats on town boards and commissions serving more than 26,000 Newtown residents come Election Day 2005. Local Democrats and Republicans met last Monday to solidify and nominate their choices of candidates to fill positions from selectman to Board of Assessment Appeals.

By all accounts, there were no surprises or 11th-hour power grabs attempted at either caucus, each attended by several dozen respective town committee members and other interested local Democrats or Republicans.

As expected, each party was able to field capable choices in every available seat, except the spot at the top. Town Republicans failed to endorse a candidate for first selectman.

Following the caucus, which was held at the Senior Center on Riverside Road, Republican Town Committee Chairman Carol Recht said that 2005 would be a year her party would focus on increasing Republican influence on the Legislative Council, as well as town boards and commissions.

“Although we had several potential Republican candidates for first selectman, we could not convince any of them to run,” she said.

On the other side of the partisan divide, local Democrats cross-endorsed Republican Cynthia Simon for town clerk. Ms Simon has served the community in that capacity for 18 years and has run unopposed in all but one election.

Democratic Town Committee Chairman Earl Smith, Jr, said he was pleased that in the few days preceding the caucus, his party was able to fill several vacant slots including one he agreed to take himself. Mr Smith accepted his party’s endorsement for the District 3 seat on the town’s Legislative Council.

“We’ve got a number of highly qualified people running this fall including a few newcomers who have volunteered,” Mr Smith told The Bee Tuesday. “I’m really pleased to see some new people come forward. These folks represent a wealth of untapped energy.”

The Democratic Ticket

A familiar face at town and budget meetings, but a newcomer to the political landscape, Keith E. Jacobs was recommended for and accepted the nomination for the Council’s District 1 post. Another newcomer, Phillip J. Cruz, was put up as a candidate for P&Z alternate.

If the Democratic caucus yielded any surprises, the biggest likely came when Peter F. Giarratano accepted the council nomination in the First District. Mr Giarratano currently serves on the Board of Finance.

Newcomer John T. Torok, Jr, has been nominated to take the now vacant seat on the finance board.

According to a release from the Democratic Town Committee, the balance of the slate is as follows:

Democratic selectman Joseph Bojnowski was recommended for renomination. Francis Pennarola is also a First District contender.

In the Second District, Peggy Baiad, Joseph Hemingway, and council vice-chair Timothy Holian have all accepted nominations. The Third District will have Daniel Amaral and James Schpunt, Sr, returning to the ticket.

Lisa Schwartz and Thomas Gisson are the Democratic candidates for the Board of Education, while James Gaston, Sr, and Michael Portnoy are up for the remaining Board of Finance seats.

Jay T. Gill has been endorsed to return to the Town Hall Board of Managers.

Lilla Dean has been proposed for the Planning and Zoning Commission with Richard Eigen called for the second alternate position on the P&Z.

Robert Connor will run for the Police Commission, and Alan Clavette has agreed to run for the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Anne Marie Cohen accepted the Democrat’s nomination for ZBA alternate.

The Republican Ticket

Heading the GOP ticket will be William A. Brimmer, Jr, who is running for his fifth term on the Board of Selectman. At the Republican caucus, State Representative Julia Wasserman commended Mr Brimmer for his involvement in many aspects of the Newtown community, including his service on the board, especially for helping to keep town budget increases modest over the past eight years.

“He is also a strong advocate for Newtown elderly tax relief,” Rep Wasserman was quoted as saying in a GOP release.

“I am honored with the privilege to serve the citizens of Newtown as selectman for the next two years,” Mr Brimmer said in accepting his nomination. “I promise to work to gain your trust and respect, as I have the past eight years in this role, each and every day.”

Incumbents Joseph Kearney of Daniels Hill Road, John Kortze of Cobblers Mill Road, and Harrison Waterbury of Chimney Swift Drive were endorsed for the Board of Finance. The caucus endorsed Board of Education Chairman Elaine McClure for another four-year term.

Incumbents Joseph DiCandido of Whitewood Road, Michael Iassogna of Brookwood Drive, and Richard Recht of Tunnel Road were endorsed for Legislative Counsel in District 1. Incumbent Joseph Borst of Beechwood Drive, Barbara Bloom of Philo Curtis Drive, Stacie Doyle of Clapboard Ridge, and Patricia Llodra of Riverside Road in Sandy Hook were endorsed for District 2. Incumbents David Brown and Will Rodgers of Hattertown Road were endorsed for District 3. Jeff Capeci of Bear Hills Road will also run.

Incumbent Barbara Jane Brymer of Poverty Hollow Road was endorsed for another term as a Planning and Zoning Commission member. Current alternate Robert Mulholland of Russett Road and Dennis Bloom of Philo Curtis Road were endorsed as P&Z alternates.

Incumbent Barbara O’Connor of Little Brook Lane was endorsed for Zoning Board of Appeals, and Timothy Cronin of John Beach Road and Laurie Wrabel of Brushy Hill Road, both incumbents, were endorsed as ZBA alternates. Carol Mattegat of St George Place was endorsed for another four-year term on the Police Commission.

Marianne Brown of Sherman Street in Sandy Hook was endorsed for the Board of Assessment Appeals. Incumbents Sandra Motyka of Kent Road and Kathleen Madzula of The Boulevard were endorsed for the Town Hall Board of Managers.

“Our goal is to have our Republican candidates function as a team, both now and once they are elected, to promote our principles of fiscal responsibility, educational excellence, limited government, and managed growth,” said Ms Recht.

Mr Smith continued to call on all Newtown residents who want to have a stake in the future of their community to make themselves known to local party officials so they might be considered for vacancies as they come up on an appointed basis.

“I’m sure in the coming two years there will be many appointments coming up,” Mr Smith said. “And if we have new people come to town from other communities, I would invite them to get involved. I’m sure they will be pleasantly surprised by the level of professionalism and collaboration among all of our local volunteer commission members.”