Date: Fri 06-Dec-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Cascella-Sturdevant-personnel

Full Text:

PAGE ONE : Studevant Quits Abruptly As Cascella's Top Aide

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Once a close supporter of First Selectman Bob Cascella, longtime Republican

Marie Sturdevant abruptly resigned from his staff Wednesday, November 27.

The sudden split left many wondering what could have broken up this political

partnership that began long before Mr Cascella was elected to the town's top

post in November, 1993.

According to Mrs Sturdevant, her resignation as Mr Cascella's top aide was the

culmination of a discord between the two that had been brewing for several

months. Her run-in with Mr Cascella last week over a salary increase was not

the first time the two had gone head-to-head.

Mr Cascella declined to comment on the issue, saying he is prohibited from

discussing personnel matters. He thanked Mrs Sturdevant for her three years of

service to the town and wished her well. As for Mrs Sturdevant, she said that

since so many people had asked her about her resignation, she felt the

incident needed to be addressed publicly.

"I requested to speak with Bob Cascella on two different occasions to discuss

with him his reasoning why my co-worker and I did not receive at least the

same proportional salary increase. He did not respond to either of these

requests and on the 27th I again asked him if he was prepared to talk to me

about my concerns," she explained.

"Reluctantly, he responded without answering my question, and when I pressed

the issue he made a very unprofessional and insulting remark to me at which

time I determined I could no longer tolerate working for him."

Mrs Sturdevant, who admitted her surprise by the number of inquiries she has

received over her resignation, said this most recent incident was the final

straw.

Ironically, Mrs Sturdevant's resignation marks the end of a long relationship

with Mr Cascella that dates back to when she recruited Mr Cascella to run for

the first selectman's post. Her husband, Dick Sturdevant, was Mr Cascella's

campaign manager during his 1995 campaign and Mrs Sturdevant was one of the

first selectman's closest supporters. That no longer appears to be the case.

"I don't think we have any respect for one another any more," she said.

Prior to joining Mr Cascella's staff in 1993, Mrs Sturdevant served as

chairman of the Republican Town Committee from 1985-1991. She was one of a

handful of Republicans who requested former controversial first selectman Rod

Mac Kenzie step down from his job in 1988, citing a loss of credibility and

poor judgement.

Mrs Sturdevant said she's not out to destroy Mr Cascella politically; instead,

she'd rather put the issue to rest.

Other Republicans appeared tight-lipped on the matter, saying only that a

"personality clash" between the two individuals had apparently ballooned to

its popping point. One Republican, who asked not to be identified, suggested

that Mrs Sturdevant had "take-charge" tendencies, which may have contributed

to the brouhaha.

Legislative Council member Melissa Pilchard, a Democrat, said the resignation

of Mrs Sturdevant is an enormous loss for the town, calling Mrs Sturdevant one

of Newtown's leading citizens.

Mrs Pilchard, who said Mrs Sturdevant always put the interest of the town

above everything else, expects things to become much more difficult for the

first selectman now that she is gone.

"I think it will be much harder for Bob to work effectively," said Mrs

Pilchard. "I felt like everything would be all right (in the first selectman's

office) as long as Marie was there. I can only hope that will be the case in

the future."

Wendy Beres, Mr Cascella's campaign manager during his first successful run at

office, has also been at loggerheads with the first selectman this year over

issues involving the town's Persons With Disabilities Committee which Mrs

Beres chairs.

In 1980, Zita McMahon was fired as administrative assistant for then First

Selectman Jack Rosenthal, but she eventually got her job back and went on to

become the town's first selectmen from 1991-93. However, don't expect Mrs

Sturdevant to do the same. Her response to a question about a possible run at

the town's top seat was unequivocal: "No."

Mr Cascella said he expects to replace Mrs Sturdevant, but did not say when he

would hire a new staff member.