Date: Fri 24-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-Rotary-debate

Full Text:

Candidates Square Off At Rotary Debate

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

One man believes his business experience makes him the best candidate for

first selectman. The other thinks his leadership on the Newtown school board

makes him the obvious choice.

Both men are counting every potential vote before November 4. No formal polls

have been taken, but the race is believed to be tight.

Republican Russ Melita and Democrat Herb Rosenthal met Monday night to field

questions at the Newtown Rotary Club's annual candidates night. Also on hand

were their running mates, Bill Brimmer and Joe Bojnowski. A large contingent

of Rotarians, some members of the public, and a handful of Legislative Council

candidates packed the Fireside Inn for the event.

At issue this election season is maintaining the quality of life in Newtown as

the 21st century approaches. That issue encompasses several other topics that

appear to be on the minds of Newtown residents. Those include the town's rapid

development, and the need to balance residential development with commercial

development. Also being addressed by the candidates is the fate of Fairfield

Hills and how the town will approach the state, whose Department of Public

Works will have the final say in how the former state mental hospital will be

used.

Mr Melita told the Rotary Club that he is the most qualified candidate to lead

Newtown into the next century.

"We are at a crossroads where old-line thinking and tunnel vision will not be

in order to handle the future of Newtown," he said. "The first selectman must

have the vision and leadership to maintain these values within the fiscal

constraints of our budgetary process. We are ready to serve the people of

Newtown."

Mr Brimmer concurred, saying he was committed to the town of Newtown. He noted

that he was asked by his former employer to relocate back in 1994, but he

decided he would rather lose his job than leave the town he loved.

Mr Rosenthal pledged to lead the town in its fight to control the growth of

residential development and ensure that the development that is done is

responsible. He is also intent on eliminating Newtown's eyesores -- the

run-down, vacant businesses that are hard to miss in the center of town.

Mr Rosenthal has also been knocking the highway department for what he

believes has been a lack of efficiency. He promises a complete review of the

department with a reorganization the probable outcome.

Mr Bojnowski said he is seeking to get results in the selectman's office to

ensure efficient government.

"There hasn't been a focus in the last two years in the public works area," he

said. "We ran a poll and the people of Newtown complained about the conditions

of the roads."

The candidates were asked how they would handle the current situation at the

Newtown Police Department where the union has gone to the town's Police

Commission asking for the removal of Chief Jim Lysaght.

Mr Melita, the town's former labor consultant, said he was involved in the

union vs chief problems two years ago, and, like then, he would continue to

offer his services to alleviate the situation. The Republican candidate said

he would use a collaborative approach -- a recurring theme in his campaign --

to help rectify the matter.

Mr Rosenthal said the first selectman can play a role in the police department

controversy, playing the part of a facilitator or mediator.

Local developer Kim Danziger said almost every type of residential development

application has been criticized in recent years. He asked the candidates to

explain what makes a legitimate development application.

Mr Rosenthal said Mr Danziger's homes are fine. It is the Newtown Village-type

applications that are giving local development a bad name. He called the

Newtown Village proposal for Route 34 a sand and gravel operation wrapped in

the cloak of affordable housing.

During the forum, Mr Rosenthal was singled out by Legislative Council chairman

Pierre Rochman, a Republican, who asked several questions regarding school

spending and how he would handle the issue as first selectman. Of course, the

council has the final say on all school and town budgetary proposals.

The candidates will next meet face to face at the Chamber of Commerce/League

of Women Voters Pizza & Politics Night on Tuesday.