Piesner Fills In Some Blanks In His ‘NICE’ Slate

By Steve Bigham

The NICE Party this week announced the candidacies of seven Newtown residents who plan to petition their way onto the November ballot. They seek election either to the Legislative Council, Board of Education, or Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission.

The formation of the NICE Party was announced last week by resident Barry Piesner, who founded the party and is now its first selectman candidate. It is believed to be the first third party to put up multiple candidates for office in the town’s history.

Andy Polito ran as a third party candidate in 1993 and Modie L. Moore ran a similar campaign in the 1980s. However, a third party putting up candidates for offices other than the first selectman is believed to be a new phenomenon in town.

Each NICE candidate will need to garner the signatures of 35 residents in order to get on the ballot, except in the case of the council candidates, who need just 17 signatures from their district.

Seeking election to the Legislative Council in District II are local businessmen Bob Hennessey and Jonathan Bick.

NICE Board of Education candidates are homemaker Robin Fitzgerald and businessman Jay Higham.

Planning & Zoning candidates are realtor Bryan Atherton, surveyor Paul Brautigam, and builder Kim Danziger.

None of these candidates have ever run for public office.

“I know our opponents are going to say they’re inexperienced. That’s true. We’re not good at trying to be crafty, avoiding issues, and avoiding taking care of the needs of Newtown. That’s what we’re not going to do,” said Mr Piesner.

The NICE Party is still considering other candidates, including a running mate for Mr Piesner.

Mr Piesner said most of the NICE candidates are either Republicans or Democrats who plan to switch their party affiliation in the coming weeks.

The NICE Party is registered with the Secretary of the State’s office in Hartford.