Date: Fri 09-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Fetzer-politics-election

Full Text:

Fetzer Sets Up `97 Election Committee

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Gary Fetzer took a step closer toward announcing his candidacy for first

selectman earlier this week, unofficially kicking off the 1997 election

season.

The 41-year-old member of the Board of Selectmen announced Tuesday the

establishment of "Fetzer 97," a bipartisan exploratory committee created to

take a look at the possibility of his running for the town's top post. In

short, to determine if he has a shot.

"I believe that the upcoming election will go a long way towards determining

the future of our town. Over the last six months, I have had numerous

residents voice to me their concerns about where Newtown is headed," he said.

By forming this committee, Mr Fetzer can now begin raising money for a

campaign.

If the selectman does decide to run, he'll join fellow Democrat Chris Spiro, a

longtime resident, who announced his candidacy back in March. No formal

announcement has been made, but Herb Rosenthal, chairman of the Board of

Education, is also considering a run at first selectman, a position his father

Jack held during the late '70s and early '80s.

Mr Fetzer called Mr Rosenthal a "good friend." In fact, the two met for lunch

earlier this spring to discuss each of their plans. Along with Mr Spiro, the

two men could end up facing each other in a primary.

"It's important to me that no one gets between that friendship," Mr Fetzer

said. "Obviously, people are out there trying to shape the agenda."

First Selectman Bob Cascella, the Republican incumbent, has yet to announce

whether or not he plans to run for a third term. He recently took a week off

from work to allow himself to ponder his future.

Mr Fetzer believes the November election should focus more on where the town

is headed in the next century and not on what has or has not been done in the

past. However, over the past six months, he said he's had several people

contact him regarding their concerns over a "lack of responsiveness from their

elected officials," and concerns about the turnover in town personnel and

among the volunteers on boards and commissions.

Mr Fetzer, now in his eighth year on the Board of Selectmen, said he's also

concerned about the amount of debt service that has burdened the taxpayers in

recent years. As he points out, 13 percent of next year's budget has been set

aside to pay debt service.

As for development, Mr Fetzer, the chair of the Greenways Committee, said the

town needs to remember that neighborhoods cannot be allowed to be destroyed in

the name of progress.

"I have been surprised by the number of people whose opinions I respect, who

have already called to urge me to run for first selectman and have pledged

their support and financial backing," he said. "This exploratory committee

will give my supporters a gateway to channel their confidence in me and

support my campaign."

Mr Fetzer said he'll be announcing the "Fetzer 97" committee members in the

coming weeks.