Date: Fri 06-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-development

Full Text:

THE POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT MAY HELP SHAPE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION

BY STEVE BIGHAM

There is little doubt Newtown's rapid residential growth and development will

be a big issue with the candidates this election season.

In fact, a third party could still enter the race for first selectman, riding

a "control-the-growth" platform. The Newtown Neighborhood Coalition (NNC) is

urging the town to more tightly regulate residential development. NNC may put

up a candidate next fall to bring its message into the campaign debate.

The coalition is scheduled to meet Tuesday night at Edmond Town Hall to

further discuss how it will play its hand over the next five months.

"There is a possibility that there will be a third party candidate. We've been

in touch with those people," explained Hattertown Road resident Brian

Hennessey, one of the leaders of the NNC.

As Mr Hennessey points out, the coalition is forcing the election issue,

hoping to bring about the changes it would like to see made. Coalition members

have been outspoken at land use meetings over the past year, saying the rapid

development is harming the environment, increasing traffic, putting added

burdens on the public school system and the local infrastructure, and

threatening well water supplies.

On November 6, voters will head to the polls to select the first selectman who

will lead the town into the 21st Century.

Last month, Democrat Herb Rosenthal announced he would make a run for the

first selectman's seat.

Incumbent Bob Cascella said he has made a decision on whether he will run for

a third term, but he has made no announcement. It is assumed by most observers

that Mr Cascella is not planning a career change this year.

Last March, Democrat Chris Spiro got people thinking about the election when

he was the first to throw his hat into the ring. Democratic Selectman Gary

Fetzer was expected to make an announcement this week, but decided against it

Tuesday, saying he still had to talk to a few people.

The neighborhood coalition has already said it would support Mr Fetzer, but

would obviously have to steer that support in another direction if it were to

put up its own candidate.

"We're supportive of Gary. As far as endorsing him, however, that card remains

to be played. We're going to make that determination next week," Mr Hennessey

said.

One leader of the group predicted that perhaps as many as 30 percent of the

town's electorate would vote for candidates endorsed by the citizens' party,

putting it on par with the local Democrat and Republican parties.

According to Town Clerk Cindy Curtis Simon, the NNC would have to petition to

have its candidate on the ballot because it would not be considered a minority

party. To receive minority party status in an election for first selectman, a

party must receive one percent of the total votes cast for that office two

years earlier.

Also, Mrs Curtis Simon said a candidate can not be a petitioning candidate and

a major or minor party nominee for the same office. In other words, Mr Fetzer

could not run on the NNC's ticket. However, if the NNC should attain the minor

party status at the November election, it would be entitled to cross endorse

for that minor party only at a future municipal election.

Reservation of party designation requires a written statement by at least 25

electors who desire to be members of the party.

The last third party candidate to run for first selectman was Independent

Party candidate Modie Lee Moore, who ran unsuccessfully against incumbent Jack

Rosenthal in 1977.