Date: Fri 10-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-council-races

Full Text:

Voters Will Get A Few Choices In Races For Council Seats

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Voters looking for actual choices on the underticket in this year's local

elections won't find many. There is the race for first selectman between

Republican Russ Melita and Democrat Herb Rosenthal, which has been well

publicized. Beyond that, the only other major town board with any electoral

competition is the Legislative Council.

Seventeen candidates will vie for the 12 council seats, all of which are up

for election November 4. Council terms are for two years. The council switched

from 18 to 12 seats in 1993. Since then, the Republicans have controlled nine

of the 12 seats, while the Democrats have managed to retain only the minimum

three seats. The last time the Democrats had more than the minimum was in

1990-92, when they held eight of the council's 18 seats.

Those current council members who have opted not to seek re-election include

Democrat Jack Rosenthal and Republicans Joe McGowan and Bill Brimmer. Mr

Brimmer is seeking election to the Board of Selectmen.

Republicans Will Rodgers and Donald Studley only joined the council in March,

after taking the place of Joe Mahoney and Gail Halapin, who resigned from the

board a few weeks earlier.

Chairman Pierre Rochman believes the current council is very strong and said

he hopes it is able to retain its incumbents, both Republican and Democratic.

The Council Candidates

In District 1, voters will be asked to choose four of any of the following

five candidates:

Longtime resident and Democratic newcomer Charles Browne, who is making his

first bid for a seat on the council. He is in the advertising business and has

been a justice of the peace since 1986.

Republican newcomer Ed Lucas, a local printer, who has been on the Republican

Town Committee the past four years. He joined the race at the caucus, saying a

run at public office was something he always wanted to do.

Democrat incumbent Melissa Pilchard, the longest-running member of the

council, having served for nearly 20 years. The local realtor and outspoken

politician is currently the council's vice chairperson.

Republican incumbent Pierre Rochman, a longtime Newtown resident and current

chairman of the council. He has the second longest tenure on the council,

approaching 10 years on the board. Mr Rochman owns the Mill Plain Cleaners in

Danbury.

Republican incumbent Donald Studley, a certified public accountant, who serves

on both the council's finance and ordinance committees. He took over for the

departed Gail Halapin this past March.

In District 2, voters will be asked to select four of the following six

candidates:

Republican incumbent Win Ballard, who spent 40 years in education, including

15 as assistant superintendent of schools in Newtown. He is a Navy veteran of

World War II.

Democratic newcomer Peggy Baiad, a local realtor, who has been involved in

many events in town over the years, especially at St Rose Church. She is

making her first bid for a council seat.

Republican incumbent Karen Blawie, who seeks her third term on the council.

She is active in the Hawley School PTA and is the current co-chairperson of

the elect Melita/Brimmer campaign.

Longtime local attorney Bill Denlinger, who is seeking a return to the council

after serving for one term a few years ago. He is a former 10-year member and

two-year chairman of the Board of Education.

Democrat Tim Holian, a lifelong Newtown resident, who is making his first run

at a council seat. Mr Holian runs a law practice on Main Street and is a

former member of the Conservation Commission.

Republican incumbent Joe Borst, a 31-year Newtown resident, who has his eye on

a sixth term on the council. He is chairman of the council's education

committee and a longtime member of the NHS Band Parents Association.

In Districts 3A and 3B, voters will choose four of the following six

candidates:

Democrat and former Bethel police officer Roger Connor, who is now the head of

security at Western Connecticut State University. He has long been involved in

local politics and often serves as a mechanic at the polls.

Republican incumbent John Kortze, the council's finance committee chairman,

who seeks his second term on the council.

Democratic newcomer Christopher Donohue, a young attorney, who is a relatively

new resident and member of the Democratic Town Committee. He is a former

member of the state's Ethics Commission.

Republican incumbent William Rodgers, a local attorney, who took over the seat

vacated by then-chairman Joe Mahoney in March. He is a member of the council's

ordinance committee, and, among other things, is a trustee of the Hattertown

Historic District.

Democrat incumbent Lisa Schwartz, who is the mother of two young children. She

currently serves on the council's ordinance, education and administration

committees. She is a former vice chairperson of the Board of Ethics.

Republican newcomer Brian White, a certified public accountant in business

with Donald Studley. He is a past chairman of the Family Life Center. He is

also the treasurer of the Heritage Preservation Trust.

Did You Know?

Unlike the US President, the person elected first selectman in Newtown may not

get to share in the victory with his running mate.

It is possible that just the opposite could happen, too. The running mate -

the man running for the unpaid selectman's seat - could bask in the glory,

while the candidate for first selectman bows his head in defeat. Of course,

the person running for selectman can not be elected first selectman, even if

that person receives the most votes.

It is also possible for the first selectman to be the minority member of the

Board of Selectmen. That last occurred in 1976-78, when then first selectman

Jack Rosenthal was the lone Democrat on the board with Republicans Tom

Gooseman and Frank DeLucia.