Date: Fri 05-Sep-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Democratic-primary

Full Text:

/ LIBRARY

PAGE ONE

Democrats To Choose A Candidate On Tuesday

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Democrats will head to the polls next Tuesday to cast their votes in the

town's first primary election in eight years.

In the primary, Herb Rosenthal and Gary Fetzer will square off to see who will

take on the Republicans for first selectman at the general election in

November. The GOP team of Russ Melita and Bill Brimmer are waiting in the

wings to see who they will face.

All four polling places will be open for the primary from 6 am to 8 pm. Those

in District 1 will vote at the middle school on Queen Street; District 2 at

the Sandy Hook Firehouse on Riverside Road; District 3a at Head O' Meadow

School on Boggs Hill Road; and District 3b at Middle Gate School on Cold

Spring Road.

Only registered Democrats are eligible to vote.

Mr Rosenthal received the party nomination back in July, defeating Mr Fetzer

183-130. However, Mr Fetzer petitioned to send the issue to a primary,

pointing out he did receive 40 percent of the vote at the caucus.

Mr Rosenthal and his running mate, Joe Bojnowski, were disappointed in Mr

Fetzer's decision to force a primary, believing the caucus results were

convincing. Mr Fetzer said his decision to primary was not about what's good

for himself or the party, but "what's best for the town of Newtown." He does

not currently have a running mate. Ann Krane had been running with Mr Fetzer,

but backed out after losing at the caucus.

The town last voted in a primary in 1989, when Democrats Jack Rosenthal and

Zita McMahon faced off. Mrs McMahon was the winner as 1,334 (46 percent) of

the 2,883 registered Democrats turned out.

There are 3,020 Democrats currently registered in Newtown.

Because he was the endorsed candidate, Mr Rosenthal received $2,500 from the

Democratic Town Committee to be used for his primary campaign. Mr Fetzer said

he was disappointed in the town committee's decision to hand over the money,

calling it "old-time, power politics."

A Step Toward Victory?

Both candidates seem to think the primary will strengthen their position for

the November election, but not if the political nastiness keeps up.

"I think it will be a step toward victory, as long as we stay positive. I

think this week there were some things that may change that a little bit,"

said Mr Rosenthal, referring to a recent Fetzer political ad which insinuated

Mr Rosenthal was running simply to continue a "political dynasty."

Mr Fetzer said he has been victimized by a bit of nastiness, as well, claiming

Rosenthal supporters have "threatened" him and spread untruths about his

political background. Nevertheless, he believes this could be the year the

Democrats take back the first selectman's chair.

"I think the primary has focused the attention on the two candidates, in terms

of name recognition and issues. That can help whoever comes out of the primary

victoriously. I think whoever the Democratic candidate is is going to be

victorious in November," he said.

Mr Fetzer continues to deny his opponent's accusation that he is simply

running for first selectman as a "place-holding" for a run at state office.