The Race For First Selectman –

At The Top Of The Election Ticket, A Contest Of Quiet Civility

By Steve Bigham

This year’s race for first selectman in Newtown may end up being more of a lesson in civility than civics. The friendly and gentlemanly contest comes to an end next Tuesday when voters head to the polls to elect either Democrat Herb Rosenthal or his Republican challenger, Owen Carney.

The quiet nature of the campaign is fine by Mr Rosenthal, the incumbent, who stands by his four-year record and says his work as town leader is far from done. Conventional political wisdom holds that incumbents usually get reelected unless there is discontent in the electorate. That does not appear to be the case this year. Even Mr Carney would agree with that.

“When you ask people if there are any burning issues or concerns on their minds, they say, ‘no,’” he said during an interview with The Bee last week.

That may have a lot to do with people’s mindset since the September 11 tragedies in Washington, D.C., and New York. Issues such as Fairfield Hills, roads, and taxes have been put on the backburner since then.

Still, Mr Carney says his many campaign appearances at the town’s waste transfer station and recycling center have made him optimistic that people believe “it is time for a change.” Discerning what kind of change a political upset would bring this year is not that easy. In outlining their positions on local issues, the two candidates rely more on nuance than starkly opposed ideology.

 Mr Rosenthal has grown up in politics and has an established record of municipal service. Owen is relatively new to the political arena, but served the citizens of Newtown for 30 years as a member of the Newtown Police Department.

While conceding the advantage of incumbency to Mr Rosenthal, some on the GOP side hope a big turnout may swing the advantage to Mr Carney.

Mr Rosenthal was elected for the first time in 1997 when he soundly defeated Republican Russ Melita. The GOP failed to put up a first selectman candidate in 1999 and Mr Rosenthal went unopposed. This year, he seemed almost grateful that the Republicans put up a challenger as it gave him an opportunity to discuss his accomplishments, the biggest of which was leading the town in its decision to purchase Fairfield Hills at a town meeting last June.

Mr Rosenthal did have to absorb a few shots early on this fall during Barry Piesner’s short stint as a first selectman candidate. That campaign ended rather quickly, however, when state election officials disqualified Mr Piesner and most of his fellow NICE Party candidates for turning in a flawed petition for their placement on the ballot. Mr Piesner’s impact on the race was the source of much speculation around town, but he did represent a clear challenge to the incumbent. His attacks – fair or unfair – were pointed and forced Mr Rosenthal into a defensive mode. Mr Carney has chosen an entirely different, civil route and some – even within his own party – suggest that his genial approach may have cost him some opportunities to differentiate himself from his opponent.

Mr Carney stands by his strategy, however, choosing to avoid the typical rhetoric and attack put forward by challengers.

“Back in March when I announced my candidacy, I said that I was not going to go out and say `it’s time for a change.’ People know when it’s time for a change. They don’t need me to tell them,” Mr Carney said.

Different Views On Fairfield Hills

The candidates do appear to disagree slightly on the issue of Fairfield Hills. Mr Carney has stated that he opposes any commercial development there…at least for now. Mr Rosenthal, on the other hand, would prefer to see a mixed-use, including some economic development if the town prefers.

Mr Rosenthal has pledged to listen to the people to see what they want for Fairfield Hills. He’ll try to balance that with the understanding that, as first selectmen, the town will look to him for guidance.

“That’s the difficult thing about being an elected official. You’re always trying to lead and also trying to keep your finger on the pulse of what people want. If you don’t keep your finger on the pulse, they’ll throw you out and put somebody else in,” Mr Rosenthal said.

 The two candidates take similar views on charter revision. Three weeks ago it was discovered that the proposed changes did not include an “effective date,” creating a situation where the changes – if approved – would have to be implemented almost immediately rather than two years from now as had been intended. Hoping to avoid having to rush the changes in, Mr Rosenthal supports their defeat and the immediate recommissioning of the charter board to address those technical flaws. He then suggests the proposed changes be put back on the ballot a year from now. Mr Carney, who favors the proposed changes, agrees.

Mr Carney, 50, was the Republicans’ surprise pick to run for first selectman back in March. In those early days, Mr Carney stated that the Rosenthal administration was being “too closed and secret” about its plans for Fairfield Hills. Nearly three months later, however, the town voted overwhelmingly in favor of buying Fairfield Hills at a well-attended town meeting. The proposed 5/6 school was also approved. Mr Rosenthal and his supporters see these votes as validation of the current administration.

Mr Carney is banking on that not being the case.

A Tale of Two Men

Owen Carney moved to Newtown in 1972 soon after landing a job with the police department, where he spent the next 27 years. During that time, Mr Carney earned a reputation for his no-nonsense, thoughtful approach and quickly moved up the ranks from patrolman to sergeant to youth officer to head detective and finally to captain, a position that is also considered the department’s deputy chief. As a captain, Mr Carney worked in the areas of budgeting, scheduling, hiring, and long-term planning.

Quieter than the typical politician, Mr Carney has focused on honesty and openness over political rhetoric. He believes his experiences in police work will help him be a good first selectman.

“I don’t say I’m going to do something if I’m not going to do it. I always try to follow through on promises. If I can’t help someone, I’m not going to say ‘I’ll see what I can do.’ You learn the hard way in [the police field] not to make promises.”

Mr Carney, who lives with his wife, Sue, and two children, Mike, 10, and Lauren, 9, along Berkshire Road, served on the Republican Town Committee during the 1980s.

Mr Carney is joined on the ticket by the popular Republican selectman, Bill Brimmer, who has served on the Board of Selectmen with Messrs Rosenthal and Bojnowski for the past four years. On Saturday, Mr Brimmer and Mr Carney were spotted waving to passers-by at the corner of Queen Street and Church Hill Road.

Mr Rosenthal, 55, was a longtime member of the Board of Education before becoming first selectman four years ago. In announcing his bid for a third term last June, he pledged to continue to work on roads, buildings and other infrastructure, finances, open space preservation, recreation, education, public safety, the elimination of eyesores, and, of course, the continued leadership as the town takes over ownership of Fairfield Hills.

In a review of the highlights of his four years, Mr Rosenthal pointed to the reorganization of the Public Works Department and land-use agencies and the protection of the Kelda Lands (almost 700 acres of which are in Newtown). He also pointed to his administration’s success in keeping general government operating budgets at minimal increases, upgrading the town’s bond rating and the creation of tax relief ordinances for senior citizens and fire and EMS volunteers.

“This land in the heart of our community will help us to control and protect the future character of Newtown,” Mr Rosenthal stated. “Thankfully, the overwhelming majority of the almost 900 people who attended the town meeting endorsed our plan.”

A Newtown resident since 1953, Mr Rosenthal is married to Michelle and the father of four children. Prior to becoming first selectman four years ago, Mr Rosenthal had been in the business of insurance, investments and financial planning since 1971.

Mr Rosenthal’s father, Jack, was first selectman for 12 years from 1976-1988.