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Selectmen Candidates Campaign In The Shadows

BY STEVE BIGHAM

There has been plenty of talk about the two candidates for first selectman -

Russ Melita and Herb Rosenthal - but what about their runningmates?

Democrat Joe Bojnowski and Republican Bill Brimmer could both end up on the

board with either Mr Rosenthal or Mr Melita. Both candidates have strong

business backgrounds and have proven to be loyal party members.

Joe Bojnowski

Mr Bojnowski came on the scene just moments after Mr Rosenthal won the

Democratic caucus this past summer. A former member of the Planning & Zoning

Commission, the selectman candidate currently serves on the Economic

Development Commission.

Mr Bojnowski spent 27 years as an engineering manager for Union Carbide and

now works out of his home as a commodities broker.

"Joe is an outstanding person," noted Mr Rosenthal. "He's a hard worker and

very organized. He makes an excellent complement to me and would be a strong

resource to the town as a member of the Board of Selectman."

Mr Bojnowski has been involved in the local Democratic party for several

years, usually working behind the scenes. He has been instrumental in the

party's annual car raffle, said to be very successful.

"When he commits to a project, I don't think there's anybody better than Joe

at seeing it through. He's a very positive person," Mr Rosenthal said.

Bill Brimmer

Mr Brimmer has been a member of the Legislative Council since 1995 and

recently took over as chairman of the council's Ordinance Committee. He now

has his sights set on the Board of Selectmen.

An experienced business man, Mr Brimmer has helped bolster the Melita/Brimmer

ticket.

"Bill is an exceptional human being," noted Mr Melita. "He's communicative and

a very caring type of individual who has the ability to listen and offer

solutions just like I do. We complement each other very well."

An out-placement expert for the firm Drake Beam Morin of Stamford, Mr Brimmer

is experienced in helping people in their job search. He even started the Job

Seekers Group of Newtown, a support system for residents who are out of work

and looking for a job.

Mr Brimmer had originally expressed interest in running for first selectman

this past summer but quickly joined forces with Mr Melita after the Republican

Town Committee endorsed the Republican first-selectman candidate.