Newtown Prepares

For Nov. 6 Vote

By Steve Bigham

Newtown voters will have lots to consider as they head to the polls next Tuesday. Unlike years past, this year’s ballot offers many choices, not all of which have to do with candidates. There are also five ballot questions on proposed changes to the town’s method of government.

Highlighting Election Day this year will be the race between Herb Rosenthal and Owen Carney for first selectman (see related story). Also up for election are incumbent Board of Selectmen members Joe Bojnowski (Democrat) and Bill Brimmer (Republican).

There also 19 candidates (from three districts) running for 12 Legislative Council seats. Voters will chose four each from their respective districts. Voters will also be asked to elect members to the Planning & Zoning Commission, Board of Education, Planning & Zoning, Zoning Board of Appeals, Police Commission, Town Hall Board of Managers and others. (See The Bee’s Voters’ Guide on pages A10-13.) Town Clerk Cindy Simon is running unopposed in her bid for reelection.

Next week’s voting will take place from 6 am to 8 pm at four different polling places. Those who live in District 1 will vote at the middle school, Queen Street, while District 2 residents will vote at the Sandy Hook firehouse, Riverside Road. Those in District 3A will vote at Head O’ Meadow School, Boggs Hill Road, while District 3B voting will take place at Middle Gate School, Cold Spring Road.

Council Election

The race for Legislative Council seats appears to be wide open as 19 candidates from three parties seek to fill 12 seats.

In District 1, the Democrats have nominated incumbent Dan Rosenthal and newcomer Francis Pennarola. The Democrats did not nominate a third candidate in the first district. The Republicans will counter with Joseph DiCandido, Michael J. Iassogna, and William F. Meyer. Mr Meyer is currently serving as a member of the council, having filled the vacancy left by Pierre Rochman’s recent resignation.

In District 2, the Democrats are represented by incumbents Peggy Baiad and Tim Holian, along with challenger Joe Hemingway. The Republican ticket in District 2 features incumbent Joseph Borst, as well as Patrick Mullins and Andrew Buzzi.

The NICE Party, which withdrew eight of its candidates from the race as the result of state election law violations, still has two candidates in the race. Both will run in District 2. They are Richard Dunseith and Robert Hennessey.

In District 3, the Democrats have put up Amy Dent, Jim Shpunt, and Eugene Vetrano. The Republican ticket is made up of three incumbents, Will Rodgers, Don Studley, and Brian White.

The only other race is for the Planning & Zoning Commission where voters will choose two of three candidates. Republican incumbent Dan Fogliano (P&Z chairman) is pitted up against Democrats Lilla Dean, an incumbent, and challenger Richard Eigen. Only two of the three can win.

 

Absentee Ballots

Town Clerk Cindy Simon announces that absentee ballots are available in her office at Edmond Town Hall for those voters who will be unavailable to be at the polls for next Tuesday’s municipal election.

Special office hours will be available Saturday, 9 am to noon, for the sole purpose of absentee voting.

Any qualified registered voter may vote absentee in person due to: illness or physical disability, absence from town during voting hours, or religious beliefs.

For more information on your status as a registered voter, call the registrars’ of voters at 270-4250.