Date: Fri 26-Sep-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-door-to-door

Full Text:

Newtown's Political Campaign Goes Door To Door

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Skies were overcast with the threat of rain Tuesday afternoon, but the

candidates for first selectman were out on the streets, meeting Newtown's

voters and spreading what political sunshine they could.

The November 4 municipal election is a little more than five weeks away, and

the four men are going door to door, believing that every vote counts . They

won't be able to visit all 8,000 households in Newtown, but the political

hopefuls want to meet as many voters as possible.

This year's election campaign, expected to be one of the most contested in

recent years, appears to be an issue-oriented one. The candidates want to find

out what people are thinking.

On Tuesday, Democratic candidate Herb Rosenthal and his running mate, Joe

Bojnowski, were spotted going door to door in the Grand Place neighborhood,

asking residents for their support. Republicans Russ Melita and Bill Brimmer

knocked on doors on Megans Circle and Baldwin Road.

"We've found this to be the most effective and most pleasurable way to meet

people," said Mr Bojnowski, after another satisfying visit.

As Mr Melita pointed out, the people have been "very receptive" to their

visits and rarely shut the door in their faces. Believing he is the underdog

in the race (having, in his view, less name recognition), he's hoping to shake

as many hands as possible.

The candidates say they've had plenty of laughs along the way. The

Brimmer/Melita team looked like the "Men In Black" as they strolled along

Megans Circle in their dark suits. At one house, they were greeted by a

homeowner who thought they were from the Publishers' Clearinghouse

Sweepstakes.

Mr Rosenthal said he has been fortunate not to run into any vicious dogs,

though they've run into several friendlier canines. As the Democrats' endorsed

candidate walked up one driveway this week, a not-so-mean-looking dog

approached him.

"Oh no, now I'll be on the front page of The Bee getting bit by a dog," he

joked.

Fortunately, the dog calmly walked on by, wagging its tail.

The GOP team has been amazed at how many dogs they've come across during their

journeys.

"I'll bet there are more dogs than people in this town," Mr Brimmer said.

The candidates say they are careful when they ring the doorbell not to

frighten those inside. They understand that people are not expecting them. If

no one's home, they simply leave information about themselves. The candidates

also bring along voter registration applications, just in case some of the

voters they meet aren't voters yet. They aren't signing up the dogs, however.

Not yet, anyway.