Date: Fri 31-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-Pizza-debate

Full Text:

Candidates Go Toe-To-Toe One Last Time

(with cuts)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Newtown residents with inquiring minds packed the Fireside Inn Tuesday night

to find out more about the two men vying to become the town's next first

selectman.

Those who had not yet made up their minds on who to vote for were hoping the

Pizza & Politics event would help them do so. If anything, however, the event

underscored areas of agreement between Herb Rosenthal and Russ Melita -

especially the need for the town to continue to fight to maintain its quality

of life.

At Tuesday's debate, the candidates were asked their opinions on everything

from taxes and roads to residential development and public safety. For the

first time in the campaign, the candidates threw a few jabs, but there were no

surprise left hooks or haymakers. The main event looks like it will end in a

decision ... on Tuesday.

Fairfield Hills

Fairfield Hills has been one of the campaign's biggest issues. Mr Rosenthal

has said repeatedly that he does not trust the state and has vowed to take a

strong approach with Hartford, refusing to back down to its stronger hand. Mr

Melita, on the other hand, said a gentler approach would work best, so as to

ensure that Gov John Rowland's administration sees Newtown as a friendly

partner. Both said their method would be the most effective in bringing out

the best at Fairfield Hills.

Mr Melita said Mr Rosenthal's "I don't trust the state" attitude could

jeopardize Newtown's interest. The Republican candidate said he only wants to

ensure that the town's interests are considered when the state makes up its

mind. No one wants to see parts of the massive site sold to developers for

more residential development.

"When you talk about dealing with the state, taking an adversarial approach, I

think you'd have a very difficult time dealing with any state agency," Mr

Melita said.

The Republican candidate also said that the town should still be "vigilant."

That prompted Mr Rosenthal to state that his opponent may be backing away from

his previous soft approach with the state.

"I'm happy that you're coming to my position. All along you've been saying

that you trust the state, that they'll never hurt us, and if we're nice, maybe

they'll take care of us. Now it seems like you've changed your position," Mr

Rosenthal said. "I'm glad you see that we have to be vigilant. That's what

I've been saying all along."

As for slowing down residential development, Mr Melita wants to bring in a

part-time planner to assist the town as its seeks to balance the rights of the

developers with those of the residents. Mr Rosenthal said a part-time planner

would not have the expertise that the town needs. He asserts the town needs to

supply the resources to land-use boards to help them make decisions on

applications, and, if needed, assist in re-writing the town's P&Z regulations.

Bringing In the Industry

The generally well-mannered debate got a bit heated over the issue of

attracting business to offset tax increases due to rapid residential growth.

Mr Melita said his party is taking strong action to increase commercial

development to avoid the impact of the homeowner. He's all for offering some

tax incentives, pointing to the town's newest business, Sonics & Materials,

which recently moved into a vacant building off Church Hill Road.

"We had an abandoned factory," he said. "There was nothing there. We weren't

getting any taxes out of it. But for the cost of fixing the driveway, we were

able to attract a tenant that will add about 80 jobs. Those people will go and

shop in town. That all has a positive impact on the town."

Mr Rosenthal said the town does need to encourage business, but said he would

not take as aggressive approach. The Democratic candidate is not fond of using

tax incentives, but said his opponent had inferred that he was trying to slow

down the influx of local industry.

"I just didn't want to go with the high, warp speed that you were talking

about," Mr Rosenthal said. "You talked about tax incentives for five years."

Mr Rosenthal did throw one last jab at his opponent, regarding the current

dispute going on within the police department. The union has filed a grievance

against Chief James Lysaght. Mr Melita said he understood what was going on,

since he was the town's labor consultant during a similar situation three

years ago under the last chief. If elected he pledged to do what he had done

before - listen to both sides, communicate and find common ground where both

parties can work together.

In response, Mr Rosenthal said he was surprised to see there were still

problems in the department.

"If such a good job had been done taking care of labor relations with the

police department, I'm kind of surprised to see we're having all the problems

we're having," he said.

As far as the Board of Education goes, the candidates disagree on at least one

issue. Mr Rosenthal, a 13-year member, said the three Republican/three

Democrat rule in the town charter has worked well, keeping partisanship out of

the schools. Mr Melita is happy to keep the board non-partisan, but with three

members from each party always guaranteed a seat, voters are unable to decide

on who should and should not be on the school board. This was discussed by the

most recent Charter Revision Commission, which Mr Melita served on, but

nothing was ever changed.

"Truth In Expenses"

One resident inquired how the candidates felt about "truth in expenses,"

saying town officials cite the cost of a building project but not the actual

cost of what it will take to maintain the building. Mr Melita agreed.

"The townspeople should know what's the added cost that's going to come to the

town by having these additional facilities," he said.

However, Mr Rosenthal said the high school and Hawley School addition both had

extensive financial impact statements that talked about maintaining these

buildings.

"I'm a little surprised to hear Russ say that isn't required because we spend

a lot of time on that," he said.

Town Hall South

Both candidates criticized the work of the past administration in maintaining

Edmond Town Hall and Town Hall South. Mr Melita pledged to keep on top of the

town's infrastructure.

"When you're looking at the jewels we have in town, when you come right down

to it, Town Hall South is not one of them," Mr Melita said.

Mr Melita criticized the past administration for its poor planning for the

Town Hall South renovation vote. The project was turned down, and the building

now sits vacant in shambles. Neither candidate offered plans on how to go

about fixing the much-maligned Main Street structure.

"I've worked on six major renovation projects in the schools," he said. "We

try to involve the public early on to look at its needs, then hire an

architect and finally present a proposal to the town. That did not happen with

Town Hall South. It was rushed through. The public was not told of the needs."

The First 100 Days

The candidates also addressed what they would do in the first 100 days of

their administrations.

Mr Melita said he would conduct a complete organizational review of the town

government and the services it provides. Mr Rosenthal, whose organizational

review would focus directly at the highway department, said he would work to

eliminate some of the "eyesores" in town.