Date: Fri 13-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-Cascella-steps-down

Full Text:

Cascella Says He's Leaving, But Offers Few Details

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

A new job? He won't say. But one thing is for sure: Bob Cascella is calling it

quits as first selectman at the end of this year.

Mr Cascella, 37, informed the Republican Town Committee Tuesday night that he

will not seek re-election to the town's top seat, which he has occupied since

1993. Mr Cascella cited personal reasons for his decision, which he says he

made two weeks ago. He plans to stay in Newtown.

With several candidates joining the race, this year's election is expected to

be interesting. Mr Cascella's departure has opened the political flood gates.

A trio of Democrats - Gary Fetzer, Herb Rosenthal and Chris Spiro - are

already seeking the town's top administrative job, but now that Mr Cascella

has announced he will not run, a line of Republicans is forming. Republicans

must now find a suitable candidate to replace Mr Cascella for the November

election, just four months away. Mr Cascella said he would have easily

received his party's nomination for a third term.

Moments after Mr Cascella's announcement this week, Republican Cordalie Benoit

of 23 Sanford Road requested the party's nomination. Mrs Benoit ran

unsuccessfully for the first selectman's seat in 1981. GOP town committee

chairman Russ Melita of 16 Budd Drive said he might seek the Republicans'

nomination as well.

"What I told the Republican Town Committee was that I was seriously

considering," he said Wednesday. "I've been asked by several Republicans."

Mr Melita said he has received a list of four other Republicans also

interested in a run for town hall.

As for Mr Cascella, he declined to comment on his future plans at a press

conference Wednesday morning. He said he has no plans to return to his

previous profession as an electrician. He intimated he does have a job lined

up, however.

"I never do anything without a plan," he said.

The first selectman said he leaves Edmond Town Hall believing his

administration will be remembered for several accomplishments.

"I took over a business that I thought had not been managed well for a long

time. We injected a lot of professionalism and a lot of management tools. I've

laid a very, very solid foundation down," he said.

After more than 22 months in the first selectman's chair, Mr Cascella said he

has found the best way to lead the town is to simply use your head.

"The biggest problem when people get here is that they stop using their

intellect and start making decisions with their egos," he said.

Wendy Beres of 15 Turkey Hill Road agrees. The former Republican Town

Committee member and former Cascella supporter claimed this week the first

selectman no longer had the support of the regular citizens, or, for that

matter, those who got him into office.

"Bob slapped the people in the face that helped him the most. When you do that

you hurt your chances of getting reelected," she said.

Mrs Beres said the Republicans tapped him to be the town's next leader back in

1993 because he was young, energetic and "full of wonderful ideas." She said

he remained that way through his first term, but once he was reelected,

changed his style, avoiding the public, mistreating his employees and becoming

a "tyrant."

Other Republicans were move supportive, commending Mr Cascella on a job well

done.

"I'm extremely disappointed that he's not running. He's done a very good job

for the town. I was totally surprised," said Legislative Council Chairman

Pierre Rochman.

The council chair expects it will be a bit tougher for the Republicans to

retain the first selectman's seat now that the incumbent is leaving.

"Bob has been a tremendous asset to the town. Hopefully, his programs and

initiatives will be carried out by Republicans in the future," said Mr Melita.

"I always thought Bob did a good job," said David Rizzardi, a member of the

Republican Town Committee.

Julia Wasserman said the first selectman had simply had enough.

"I think he became burned out prematurely," said Mrs Wasserman.

Last month, Republican Selectman Jim Mooney notified the Republicans he would

not seek reelection. He and Mr Cascella will go out together after having a

close relationship on the Board of Selectmen.

"I think Bob's decision was a very personal decision. I don't think he made up

his mind until the last minute. He went back and forth," Mr Mooney said.

The selectman said there was little question in his mind that the first

selectman would have gotten the town committee's nomination.

"That's only my opinion," he added.

Mr Melita said the town committee must also find a candidate for selectman, as

well as someone to fill the seat on the Board of Education recently vacated by

Isabelle Murray.