Date: Fri 23-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-Herb-Rosenthal

Full Text:

Herb Rosenthal Joins The Race For First Selectman

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Herb Rosenthal announced his candidacy for first selectman Wednesday afternoon

on the front steps of the Edmond Town Hall.

Currently the town's Board of Education chairman, the well-known Democrat said

he joined the race because he feels Newtown deserves better leadership than it

is currently getting. He said in recent years he has seen a lack of overall

direction for the town.

Mr Rosenthal, 50, wants to follow in the footsteps of his father, Jack

Rosenthal, the town's first selectman from 1976-1988.

"As first selectman, my father got his most satisfaction out of helping

people," he said. "In my family, public service is viewed as an obligation

that we all have to give something back to the community."

Known for his strong negotiating skills and ability to make tough budget

decisions, Mr Rosenthal is the early favorite to receive the Democratic party

nomination.

In his bid for first selectman, the Main Street resident joins fellow Democrat

Chris Spiro, who entered the race more than a month ago. Democratic Gary

Fetzer, currently a selectman, is expected to make an announcement in the next

month. They are all gunning for the seat currently held by Republican First

Selectman Bob Cascella, who has not yet announced his intentions for the '97

election.

If he fails to receive the party's support at the nominating caucus, Mr

Rosenthal said he will not seek nomination in a primary.

That doesn't necessarily mean there won't be a primary. Mr Spiro has not yet

declared whether he would contest the nomination with a primary, insisting

instead that he will be the party's candidate and the next first selectman.

"Bob Cascella can start packing his bags because Herb, Gary and I, any one of

us, can beat him. He's finished," he said.

Mr Rosenthal said the town's leader needs to have a better handle on its

current development issue. He blamed last summer's "no" vote on the Town Hall

South renovations on poor communication from the top.

"We need to restore a sense of direction with good basic planning so that we

are in a position to act and shape events instead of constantly reacting to

outside forces," he said.

Mr Rosenthal said the first selectman also needs to be a compassionate boss.

"Employees have to be valued," he said.

Mr Rosenthal said the first selectman has the power to persuade and listen to

the public, two areas that he believes are lacking in the Cascella

administration.

A Newtown resident since 1953, Mr Rosenthal is the father of four children. He

plans to marry Michelle Williams in July.

Since 1971, Mr Rosenthal has been in the business of insurance, investments

and financial planning.