Date: Fri 13-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Fetzer-politics-election

Full Text:

Fetzer Adds His Name To The List Of Candidates

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Democrat Gary Fetzer added a new ingredient to Newtown's political mix

Tuesday, announcing his plans to seek election as first selectman in November.

Mr Fetzer, 41, went public with his intentions atop Castle Hill Road, looking

down on a town abuzz with the news of Bob Cascella's decision not to seek a

third term as first selectman. The race for Newtown's top administrative

position appears to be wide open.

Mr Fetzer joins a race that began earlier this year when Democrats Herb

Rosenthal and Chris Spiro announced their candidacies. Several Republicans are

also expected to announce their candidacy in the coming weeks.

"I believe that we need to restore leadership and vision to the office of

first selectman," Mr Fetzer said. "We must establish a game plan that will not

only help to protect our environment and our educational system - but also the

taxpayer."

Last month, Mr Fetzer formed a committee to look into the possibility of his

running and has since received "overwhelming bi-partisan offers of support."

"They share my concerns about the rapid rate of development that threatens to

raise our taxes, overcrowd our educational system, threaten our water

resources and our environment," he said.

Like him, Mr Fetzer's supporters question the town's "credit card mentality"

that is now forcing the town to spend over 10 percent of the annual budget on

debt repayment.

On Tuesday, Mr Fetzer received the support of the Newtown Neighborhood

Coalition (NNC), a bi-partisan group hoping to curb the town's high rate of

residential development. By getting involved in the election, the NNC hopes to

expedite the process.

According to member Mary Burnham, the NNC sent out questionnaires to all the

candidates that had declared. "The consensus was almost unanimous to endorse

Gary Fetzer. I guess our feelings were that Gary really has a track record on

the development issue," she said.

Of course, Mrs Burnham said, development affects the quality of life in

Newtown in a variety of ways. "We need someone at the helm that understands

how broad an issue this is," she said.

"He's also the best candidate - period. He's got the best feel for how this

town runs," added member Brian Hennessey. "This development issue is where the

town is at right now. Whoever runs this town must address this issue."

Mr Hennessy said the NNC will be integrated into Mr Fetzer's election

campaign.

The eight-year member of the Board of Selectmen said the November election

will be a "watershed election" for Newtown to determine how the town will

manage its own destiny.

"I offer a different path, harder but more hopeful, longer but more

compelling, steeper but more worthy. I pledge no easy answers - only toil and

dedication," he said.

Mr Fetzer said he would send the race to a primary if he does not receive his

party's endorsement at the July caucus.

"I think I'm going to be committed to take this as far as I need to go," he

said.

Mr Fetzer is currently the director of communications at DATAHR Rehabilitation

Institute. He holds a master's degree in public and international affairs from

Columbia University.