Date: Fri 03-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-Fetzer-Cascella-cable

Full Text:

Cable Conversation: Cascella's and Fetzer's Fade Out

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Two local politicians on their way out of office sat down for a televised chat

last Thursday afternoon at Charter Communications.

First Selectman Bob Cascella was a guest on Selectman Gary Fetzer's monthly

talk show Dateline: Newtown. Both men are well-known politicians in their

final days as town officials.

The show aired this past Monday night and will run again for the next two

Mondays at 7 pm on Charter Communications Channel 21.

"Overall, it was a lot of fun. In the past, politics would have kept us from

doing things like this," said Mr Cascella.

Four months ago, Mr Cascella announced that he would not run for a third term

as the town's top official, a decision he discussed during the 30-minute

interview. Mr Fetzer made a bid to be the town's next first selectman, but was

defeated by Herb Rosenthal in the September 9 primary. By December both men

will be off the Board of Selectmen, as will Republican Selectman Jim Mooney,

who also opted not to run again. A new Board of Selectmen will convene fewer

than 60 days from now, with either Republican Russ Melita or Democrat Herb

Rosenthal at the helm.

Mr Cascella's last day in office is November 26, the day before Thanksgiving.

A Friendly Exchange

Before the cameras starting rolling last Thursday, Mr Fetzer and his guest

chatted quietly on the set under the bright lights from above. Although the

Democrat and Republican didn't always agree while serving on the board, they

had a "friendly" relationship.

"We didn't always agree on things, but Bob and I have always remained friendly

because we've never taken it personal," Mr Fetzer said. "A lot of people in

town take politics personally. I found that out during the (primary) campaign.

No matter where someone stands on an issue you have to respect them for taking

a stand."

Mr Cascella, an admitted "Dateline: Newtown" junkie, agreed.

"Our goal was to do the right thing. And I think, most of the time, the Board

of Selectmen did," he said.

After the show, Mr Fetzer said he only had one regret. "I forgot to ask Bob if

he was running for Congress," he said.

A Shaky Start

Mr Fetzer, who said he keeps his politics off the show, admitted that he

usually starts his program with butterflies in his stomach, but is able to

relax once the show gets underway. That was certainly the case during last

Thursday's interview.

"Good evening everyone and welcome to `Dateline: Newtown,'" Mr Fetzer said as

the cameras were rolling. "I'm your host Gary Fetzer and with me today is my

guest, Bob Selectman."

Cut!

Greg Van Antwerp, Charter Cable's local access coordinator, called for a

second take. He figured Mr Cascella feels like "Bob Selectman" after four

years in office.

Mr Fetzer said he sometimes tries so hard to pronounce his guest's name

correctly that he occasionally mispronounces his own name.

On the second take, Mr Van Antwerp called for lights, camera, action, then

yelled to his host, "Ready to go, Mr Festor?"

During the interview, Mr Cascella was asked why he decided not to run again.

"We had a great four years. There were a lot of issues to resolve when we came

in," he said, pointing to the sewers, school and library additions and the

upgrading of roads.

"At this point in my life, I need to move on. I will miss it, but I need to

look for a more solid career base."

The first selectman said his announcement to the Republican Town Committee in

June that he would not run again was one of the toughest speeches he ever had

to make.

Mr Cascella said the job of first selectman has changed over the years with

added pressures that take their toll over time. He said the most frustrating

part of the job was the length of time it takes to get a project through all

the red tape.

"The first selectman is held accountable for everything even though a lot of

it is out of his hands," he explained.

Mr Cascella said he wished all town departments were under one roof, and said

the majority of them should be able to fit at Edmond Town Hall.

As for having his office near a movie theater, the first selectman said it's

all part of the job. He laughed as he recalled the time the small boy poured

Coke into his shoe as walked by the snack bar.