Date: Fri 18-Jul-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Melita-caucus-Benoit-Brimmer

Full Text:

Republicans Believe Melita Can Step Right In As First Selectman

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Republican Russ Melita was expected to receive his party's support for first

selectman at a caucus late this week, especially now that he's formed an

alliance with Bill Brimmer - and Cordalie Benoit has opted to step aside.

Mr Brimmer, who appeared to have a legitimate shot at making his way onto the

party ticket, decided this week to run with Mr Melita as a selectman rather

than butt heads with him at a caucus. The two candidates believe they'll be

hard to beat now that they are unified.

Members of the GOP selection committee said they chose Mr Melita because he

was best prepared to lead and had the business and political experience that

would enable him to step into the job with a minimum of catch up.

Mr Brimmer agreed.

"Quite frankly, I think Russ has more experience. I actually feel he'd be the

best first selectman candidate right now," said Mr Brimmer, who lost to Mr

Melita 19-10 in a vote of the town committee last week. "The important thing

is that we have a good team heading into the election."

A frustrated Mrs Benoit also decided to end her run at the town's top seat

after she did not receive the support she was hoping for from the town

committee.

"I'm not going to work that hard if I don't have the Republicans' support.

Getting them to work is hard enough when they support you," she said.

Mrs Benoit believes she would have made a good candidate, as in 1982 when she

put up a good fight despite losing to incumbent first selectman Jack

Rosenthal.

"The Republicans have very short memories," she said.

Mrs Benoit said she would consider running for another town board, mainly the

Conservation Commission.

Meanwhile, the Melita-Brimmer team is feeling pretty good about its chances,

figuring it can beat whomever the Democrats choose - either Herb Rosenthal,

Gary Fetzer, or Chris Spiro.

"I will give it 110 percent against what I've been calling the formidable

Democrats," Mr Melita said.

Mr Melita received the recommendation of the party's search committee, which

felt that the longtime Newtown resident's background made him the top

candidate.

Mr Brimmer said he regrets having to give up his seat on the Legislative

Council, but said he looks forward to the challenge of running for the Board

of Selectmen.

The Republican caucus was scheduled to be held Thursday night in the

Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall.

The selection committee interviewed each of the candidates before making a

final decision.

The members of the Republican selection committee included Julia Wasserman,

Cindy Curtis Simon, Robert Hall, Pierre Rochman, Barbara O'Connor, and Mae

Schmidle.