Date: Fri 08-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Fetzer-primary-politics

Full Text:

Fetzer Files Petition For Primary

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Gary Fetzer walked into the office of the Registrars of Voters Wednesday with

176 signatures from Democrats, more than enough to take Democratic

caucus-endorsed Herb Rosenthal to a primary.

Mr Fetzer will head to the September 9 primary alone, however, since his

running mate, Ann Krane, has decided not to pursue a seat on the Board of

Selectmen. Joe Bojnowski, who received the Democratic nomination for selectman

at a July caucus, is not being challenged.

As Mr Fetzer has emphasized, his primary bid is not about what is good for

himself or his party, but "what's best for the town of Newtown." In short, Mr

Fetzer believes strongly that he is the best candidate to represent the

Democratic Party.

In a prepared statement, the Democrat said that "there are times in your life

when you must stand up for what you believe in. For me, one of those defining

moments is now."

The candidate fell short against Mr Rosenthal at the Democratic caucus,

183-130. The vote was close enough, he felt, to warrant a primary.

Mrs Krane agreed. "I can understand fully why he's going to primary. He did

receive 40 percent of the vote," she said earlier this week.

Mr Fetzer said he is not running against Mr Rosenthal. Instead, he is running

because he is concerned about the future of Newtown, mainly the rapid

development going on.

Mr Rosenthal said he had been preparing for the possibility of a primary since

he won the caucus.

"I'm not surprised. I am disappointed, though. I felt the caucus was

convincing. We had the largest turnout ever for a Democratic caucus," he said.

Mr Rosenthal said Mr Fetzer's decision simply means he'll have to start

campaigning now rather than after Labor Day. Both candidates are expected to

march in the Labor Day parade, as is Republican first selectman hopeful Russ

Melita and his running mate, Bill Brimmer.

While seeking signatures door-to-door, at the dump, and in front of the Grand

Union over the past week, Mr Fetzer said he was amazed at the number of people

who are truly concerned about the town's growth and how it has put added

stress on town services.

"I'm not against all residential development, but I believe we need to phase

in development so that it's not all at once," he said.

Only about 20 percent of the registered Democrats he tried to contact were

home.

Contrary to what other Democrats have stated, Mr Fetzer claims he never stated

that he would not primary if he did not receive his party's nomination.

"I was very careful to say that I had not made a decision on whether I'd

primary," he explained.

Mrs Krane, who said she never had any intentions to primary, said she'll

continue to support her former running mate right up to the end. The two, who

appeared to be a strong team heading into the caucus, reportedly never

discussed the possibility of going to a primary.

"I will support Gary until it's over," she said.

As for Mr Fetzer's wife, Beth Ann, she is behind her husband's decision to

primary 100 percent.

"She feels that this is something I started and something I need to see

through," he said.

Mr Fetzer has been impressed with the amount of new enthusiasm within the

Democratic Party and believes a primary will benefit the party by focusing

people's attention on the two Democrats over the next six weeks.

In addition to the growth issues, Mr Fetzer said he will work to clean up the

Batchelder site of hazardous materials, to revitalize the Sandy Hook Center,

to improve roads, preserve open space, and guarantee that the town is a

partner in determining the future of Fairfield Hills.

Mr Fetzer said if he won the primary, it would be up to Mr Bojnowski to decide

whether or not he wants to join the party's new candidate.

Wednesday afternoon, Democratic registrar of voters Linda Connors was busy

confirming signatures submitted by Mr Fetzer.

The primary winner will face the Melita/Brimmer Republican team at the

November election.