Date: Fri 20-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-GOP-candidates

Full Text:

Newtown's Political Ring Is Starting To Fill Up With Hats

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Are you interested in running for first selectman in Newtown? The line forms

at the back of the room.

To date, the number of people who have either announced or expressed interest

in running for the town's top seat is approaching double digits. Three

Democrats have already announced their intentions to run, and a half dozen

Republicans have either announced their candidacies or expressed interest in

doing so.

Last week, First Selectman Bob Cascella announced that he would not seek

reelection to a third term, creating a political vacuum that has swept up

party leaders into swirls of possibilities that promise to keep the political

dust flying in Newtown from now until the November election.

As leaders point out, Newtown hasn't seen a campaign season like this in more

than a decade.

"I think it's going to be a good one," said longtime Democrat Sarah Mannix

earlier this week. "I don't ever remember seeing so many candidates."

Republican Marie Sturdevant said this year's campaign can only be good for the

town, since there won't be any talk about what the incumbent has or has not

done. The candidates, she said, will have to discuss what it is they are

prepared to do for the town.

"I would think that once both parties choose their candidates, we'll have a

good campaign on the issues," she said Wednesday. "I think it will be a

wonderful campaign."

Mr Cascella said the winner, which he thinks will be a Republican, will be the

person who has the most realistic goals for the town.

On the Democratic side, Gary Fetzer, Herb Rosenthal and Chris Spiro are locked

in, and it looks as if their contest will go all the way to a primary. The

Democratic Town Committee nearly endorsed a candidate last week, but opted to

hold off until July (See related story) .

A list of Republicans joined the mix last week, only after hearing of Mr

Cascella's decision. Cordalie Benoit of 23 Sanford Road, who ran

unsuccessfully in 1982, was the first to join the fray with GOP town committee

chairman Russ Melita of 16 Budd Drive adding his name soon after. Council

members Joe Borst of 8 Beechwood Drive and Bill Brimmer of 8 Hattertown Road

were the next to state intentions - they were considering running - and then

former selectman Jim Smith of Little Brook Lane added his name to the list.

Also, Mae Schmidle of Echo Valley Road called herself a long shot to run, but

was considering it.

Mr Melita said he wanted letters of intention from candidates by Friday.

People were still talking about Mr Cascella's surprise announcement last week;

he decided not to run, citing "personal reasons."

Mr Brimmer, a first-term councilman, said he had originally considered running

for a selectman's seat, which will also be vacant next year (Jim Mooney

recently announced that he would not run again). Now, he thinks he would like

to make a run for the town's top administrative position.

"I'm seriously considering it, but I won't make up my mind until the end of

the week," Mr Brimmer said Monday.

Mr Borst said he was also still making up his mind earlier this week. A

longtime member of the council, Mr Borst made two unsuccessful runs at the

first selectman's seat in 1985 and 1989. He is a former member of the Board of

Selectmen, Public Building & Site Committee, and Planning & Zoning.

"I'm thinking about it. I was sure that Bob was going to run. I was very happy

with the job he has done, but now we have to move forward," Mr Borst said.

Mr Melita served on the council for a term and is a former chairman of the

Parks & Recreation Commission.

Jim Smith, a former councilman and selectman during Mr Cascella's first term,

is currently the health district director. He was also a longtime chairman of

the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Republicans will hold a special town committee meeting June 23. A caucus

is scheduled for July.