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head: Democrats Pick Rosenthal As Their Candidate

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

First selectman hopeful Herb Rosenthal headed off on his honeymoon this week

knowing that he had the backing of the Democratic Party heading into the

November election.

Mr Rosenthal, who was married to Michelle Williams on July 19, held off on his

Caribbean cruise until after last week's well-attended caucus, during which he

defeated candidates Gary Fetzer and Chris Spiro for the party endorsement.

Nearly 400 Democrats packed the middle school auditorium for last Thursday's

event.

"We were very fortunate. We had three very fine candidates," said town

committee chairman Earl J. Smith. "It was a hot night, but the people came out

and we were able to do the business that had to be done."

Things were a bit quieter at the Republican caucus, held on the same night, as

Russ Melita and running mate Bill Brimmer were unopposed in their bid for the

nomination. The Melita-Brimmer team hopes to fill the two seats soon to be

vacated by First Selectman Bob Cascella and Selectman Jim Mooney. About 100

party members showed up at the Alexandria Room in Town Hall.

The Democrats were forced to take two votes at their caucus after none of the

three candidates managed to receive a majority the first time around. In the

first vote, Mr Rosenthal received 168 votes, one short of the required 51

percent majority. Mr Fetzer pulled in 128 votes during the first vote, while

Mr Spiro earned 41.

In the second vote, Mr Rosenthal defeated Mr Fetzer, 183-130.

Prior to the second vote, Mr Spiro dropped out of the race, releasing his

supporters to vote for either of the two remaining candidates. Mr Rosenthal

picked up an additional 15 votes, while Mr Fetzer picked up only two more

votes.

Many Democrats commended Mr Spiro for his spirited run for the town's top

seat, during which time he convinced several unaffiliated voters to join the

Democratic Party.

Following his victory, Mr Rosenthal introduced his running mate, Joe

Bojnowski, a longtime member of the party and former member of the Planning &

Zoning Commission (see related story).