Campaigning In Newtown: Social Skills And Shoe Leather

By Steve Bigham

In Newtown, the campaign trails of the first selectman candidates are bound to cross from time-to-time, and they did so Monday afternoon at Edmond Town Hall. Incumbent Democrats First Selectman Herb Rosenthal and Selectman Joe Bojnowski planned to meet there at 3 o’clock. Coincidentally, so did Republican first selectman challenger Owen Carney and his running mate, Selectman Bill Brimmer. All four men arrived for their respective rendezvous at the same time, illustrating to all of them how much campaigning in Newtown remains a street-by-street, door-by-door competition.

Mr Carney did more than his share of knocking on doors as a member of the Newtown Police Department. He was often at the door to ask questions or make an arrest. Sometimes he came with a search warrant.

These days, however, Mr Carney is knocking on doors under a very different pretense. When he knocks, he has a smile on his face and he is there to let you ask the questions. If you are making a garbage run down at the landfill, he might even carry a bag for you.

That is because this longtime Newtown resident is looking for your vote on Election Day (November 6). As the Republican candidate for first selectman, Mr Carney is hoping to pull off a major upset win over First Selectman Herb Rosenthal. And he’s going door-to-door.

Mr Rosenthal, who also wore a uniform in his younger days as a member of the United States Navy, has also hit the streets in his effort to win a third term in office. He has also been doing his share of door knocking. He maintains a reserved confidence that he will get reelected, pointing to four years of solid leadership, which culminated last June when the town approved the purchase of Fairfield Hills from the state.

This week, The Bee followed the candidates on their campaign trail. The Republicans pounded the pavement in the “Presidential” area of town, which includes roads like Madison, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. The Democrats visited some of Newtown’s senior citizens at Nunnawauk Meadows.

Mr Carney was joined by Board of Selectmen member Bill Brimmer, who is seeking reelection to a third term. Mr Brimmer, the minority member among the three selectmen, has worked closely with Mr Rosenthal and fellow Board of Selectmen member Joe Bojnowski. These days, however, he is working closely with the Republican Party and doing his part to help Mr Carney get elected.

Mr Brimmer is a natural when it comes to meeting the voters. On outgoing sort, he is an expert at making people feel at ease. A great listener, he has found a niche in local politics and has pledged to keep on making a difference.

Mr Brimmer and Mr Bojnowski find themselves in an awkward situation as they campaign. They are “pressing the flesh” knowing full well that they may lose their jobs, even if reelected. The Charter Revision Commission has proposed the elimination of the Board of Selectmen in favor of what it feels is a better system of government. Some have favored the idea, saying the Board of Selectmen lacks the authority to justify its existence. The problem with the proposal, if approved in November, is that it would take effect 30 days after the election, which would turn Mr Brimmer and Mr Bojnowski out of office (see related story).

Over at Nunnawauk Meadows, Mr Rosenthal and Mr Bojnowski were spotted handing out pamphlets and, in some cases, voter registration applications for those not registered. P&Z candidate Lilla Dean joined the two men on the trail this week.

At one apartment, a man answered the door holding his hand out. “Are you here to arrest me,” he joked.

Mr Bojnowski said it is always important to visit a Democrat first to help you gain confidence for the rest of the day.

“When you meet a friendly voter it really pumps you up,” he said.

Of course, both Mr Rosenthal and Mr Bojnowski have some experience with door-to-door campaigning. It began back in 1997 as the two men battled Republicans Russ Melita and Bill Brimmer. The Rosenthal/Bojnowski team went on to victory (Mr Brimmer was also elected) and then won in 1999 after running unopposed.

Mr Carney tells voters that he differs from his opponent on Fairfield Hills, which the town is expected to acquire in the coming months. He believes a master plan for the site should be initiated by the people, and not the first selectman.

“I think instead of the first selectman hiring the planner, it should be a neutral planning committee that steers the planner. I want to use Fairfield Hills for town needs, and not just to sell off to make a buck,” Mr Carney said. “I don’t want to see it commercialized. Let’s have Fairfield Hills pristine as long as we can.”

To date, this particular campaign has been a quiet one. There has been no finger pointing or name-calling. Mr Rosenthal and Mr Carney have hardly even debated the issues. Mr Rosenthal has taken more jabs from the NICE Party, which took an embarrassing hit last month when Barry Piesner, its candidate for first selectman, had to bow out of the race (along with several other NICE candidates) due to election law violations.

Mr Carney will get a chance to speak up at the October 22 Pizza & Politics event at the Fireside Inn. There, he and Mr Rosenthal will field questions from the audience. Mr Rosenthal will have to prove why he should be reelected, Mr Carney will have to convince people that he is the better man for the job.

The proposed changes to the town charter (also on the November 6 ballot) will be a key issue. The biggest changes to be voted on are the creation of a Board of Finance (for long-term financial planning), the elimination of the Board of Selectmen and a stronger first selectman with veto power over the council.

How do the candidates stand on these issues?

Mr Carney has steadfastly supported the changes from the start. He served on the Charter Revision Commission until last March when he announced his candidacy. He was outspoken in his belief that the residents should have the opportunity to vote on the proposals.

Mr Rosenthal remains on the fence when it comes to charter revision. He agrees with some aspects, but not others.

The situation also creates some issues for the first selectman candidates, who now face the possibility of being elected to a first selectman’s position that has been significantly altered. In addition to the added power, the next first selectman might also be forced to appoint six people to serve on the inaugural term of the Board of Finance.

“I certainly feel you need someone with experience if the first selectman’s role does in fact change,” Mr Rosenthal said. “You need someone who already understands what the role is.”

The incumbent first selectman has pledged to work with both parties to find the best six people to appoint, knowing that the annual budget process begins soon after the will have taken office.

Along the campaign trail, Mr Carney said he has knocked on the doors of several people he had previously met at the landfill.

“I guess that’s what happens in a small town such as ours. One gentleman said that he thought he had almost as many of our brochures as we did,” he joked.

One woman pulled her vehicle over to the side of the road to greet the Carney/Brimmer team. She assured them that they had her vote, saying she was tired of seeing the same old faces and names.

Mr Rosenthal was also spotted campaigning this past weekend with council candidate Amy Dent in the Charter Ridge area off Bennetts Bridge Road.