Pizza & Politics –

Candidates Prepare For Local Political Forum

By Steve Bigham

A big crowd is expected to pack the Fireside Inn for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Pizza & Politics event Monday night.

Those on hand will get a chance to hear from the men and women seeking to win election November 6. At the top of the ticket will be a question and answer session with first selectman candidates Herb Rosenthal and Owen Carney. These two men have waged what has so far been one of the quieter campaigns in recent memory.

National issues and the threat of terrorism this fall have overshadowed much of the campaign. Issues like Fairfield Hills, roads and budgets have taken a backseat, but Americans are being asked to carry on with their normal routines, and a little bit of old fashioned local politics promises to be just the thing to help Newtowners return to normal.

“What’s going to happen to the world over the next six to eight months is a lot more important than how many ball fields we are going to have up at Fairfield Hills. It’s all a matter of perspective,” said Mr Carney.

Organizers are hoping Monday’s event will provide voters with a better understanding of the two candidates. Mr Rosenthal, a Democrat, seeks his third term in the town’s top seat. He points to four years of solid leadership.

“I’m going to be talking about the accomplishments of our administration and where we see the town going forward for the future,” Mr Rosenthal said. “Most people seem to be pleased with the job the administration has done.”

Mr Carney, meanwhile, feels he has a chance to upset the incumbent. The retired police captain with the Newtown department has little political experience, but has worked hard to meet the voters. To win, the Republican will need to convince voters that it is time for a change.

“I think from what I’ve received in feedback that there are many people who already feel that way. I want to sell myself to the people that I am the tool for that change,” Mr Carney said.

Incumbent Board of Selectmen members Bill Brimmer (Republican) and Joe Bojnowski (Democrat) are also scheduled to speak.

The event will also give voters a chance to hear from the Charter Revision Commission, which has proposed several significant changes to the town charter, including the creation of a Board of Finance, the elimination of the Board of Selectmen and added power to the first selectman, including the ability to veto Legislative Council decisions. The charter commission has also proposed doing away with the town meeting.

The proposed changes have become a source of controversy in recent weeks and not just because some residents oppose the plan. Two weeks ago it was discovered that the changes – if approved – would go into effect 30 days after the vote, not two years as had been intended. The commission and its attorney, when rewriting the new charter, failed to add an “effective date” to the bottom. State statutes require that any proposed changes go into effect within 30 days unless otherwise specified.

Commission members say they feel the changes are best for the town and when they actually take effective should not be a deciding factor for the voters. They hope residents will vote for or against the changes based on their merits alone.

Legislative Council candidates will also be on hand at Monday’s event.

The Newtown Lions Club and Newtown Women’s Club are co-sponsoring next week’s event.

 Doors open for cocktails at 6 pm. The debate begins at 7 pm. The $10 admission includes pizza, pasta and salad.