Date: Mon 30-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-GOP-candidates

Full Text:

GOP Committee Hears From Three Contenders

BY STEVE BIGHAM

None of the Republicans hoping to be the town's next first selectman expected

to speak at Monday's meeting of the Republican Town Committee. But all three

of them did.

The GOP's town committee needs to decide who it will endorse over the next

couple of weeks. Will it be Cordalie Benoit, Bill Brimmer or Russ Melita?

Here's what they had to say:

Cordalie Benoit

Mrs Benoit said she recognizes Newtown's needs, but wants to speak to all the

Republican leaders individually, to make sure everyone is on the same page.

"I want my issues to be the issues of the people," she said.

The only female candidate said she's proud of her 1981 run for first selectman

against incumbent Jack Rosenthal. She lost that year, but the election was

closer than expected, 2,870-2,146.

"I know what it's like to run," she said.

An attorney for 25 years, Mrs Benoit says she plans to go door-to-door this

summer to meet residents. She's wanted to run for a long time and had

considered running even if First Selectman Bob Cascella had decided to seek

reelection to a third term. She eventually decided against challenging the

incumbent for the good of the party. Mrs Benoit announced her candidacy only

moments after Mr Cascella said he would not run.

Bill Brimmer

If elected, Bill Brimmer said he'd be out there looking to bring in more

low-impact businesses, much like Neu-Made Products, which recently came in.

Mr Brimmer, a member of the Legislative Council, said he's lived in five

towns, which has allowed him to look at each of their problems. He's seen the

sprawl in northern Virginia and realizes the importance of avoiding that same

over-development in Newtown.

Paula Hopper's husband moved his company out of Newtown and into Torrington

because its incentive plan was so good. She asked Mr Brimmer, "How do we

sweeten the pot?"

"First, I'd find out what kind of offer Torrington made to Chester, then I'd

sit down with the EDC (Economic Development Commission) to see if we could

offer the same thing here in Newtown," the candidate said.

Mr Brimmer is an out-placement expert for the firm of Drake Beam Morin of

Stamford.

Russ Melita

Mr Melita believes the town needs a leader to address three main issues in

Newtown: residential development, business development and town roads.

As for residential development, Mr Melita said the town needs to balance the

needs of the homeowner with the rights of the builder. If not, he said, the

town will have the same problems as it did with the jail, where thousands of

dollars were wasted.

"If we don't watch ourselves, we're going to be in for tough times," he said.

The candidate said that Newtown is blessed with land and location, which

allows the town to actively pursue businesses.

"We need a first selectman who understands the business world," he said.

As for the roads, Mr Melita said their traffic patterns need to be reviewed to

make sure they are up to speed.

Mr Melita has served as a labor consultant for the town, which he feels gives

him an insight into how the town runs. "More so than any other candidate," he

said.