Friday, December 14, 2007

Election Day Blowout!

(My part of the Fairfield Weekly's November 1, 2007 Cover Story. Intro by Tom Gogola.)

FAIRFIELD FIRST SELECTMAN

John Nelson is the youthful opponent of eight-year First Selectman Ken Flatto. Both are Fairfield natives and both are impressively concerned about the town’s well-being and quality of life. This year marks the first year in Fairfield history that the elected First Selectman will serve a four-year term instead of two.

Flatto has solidified over 500 acres of open spaces in the town, he’s doubled the traffic and safety division of the police department, he’s upgrade six public schools, the main library and the sewer plant and the state has recently approved permits and plans for building another train station in town. The station, to be located on lower Black Rock Turnpike by BJ’s Wholesale, will, according to a survey conducted by Flatto, relieve about a third of the traffic going to the Post Rd. station. This is arguably one of Fairfield’s major issues. Flatto said they’re looking to break ground on this project within a month.

Nelson, who seemed to at least have the slogan on his website memorized when we spoke with him (This town is at a crossroad…), is committed to improving the beach, making it a “first class beach area. No, a world class beach area.” (Let’s be clear on the distinction there.) He would like to place more of an emphasis on the town’s identity as “the intellectual and historical seat of CT” and also make more of a “walkable and lively downtown area.” He cites flooding, parking and traffic as hindrances in truly enjoying the area.

When probing for Nelson’s political competency as compared to Flatto’s, we found shaky ground. He wants to fix overcrowding in the classroom, but he wants spending to be the last resort. He instead proposes “scientific growth analysis” and “a thorough evaluation of available space.”

One thing Flatto doesn’t have on Nelson is a military background. Nelson explained what he took from the Marine Corps, as it’s applicable to being Fairfield’s First Selectman, “I learned to delegate authority and responsibility to those experts within the town” and also “to engage the resources, corporations, institutions and the spirit of volunteerism.”

Flatto, the favored candidate in this race, prides himself on his time and work spent on the public school renovations and the other local projects. “I feel very confident that we’ve done a good job and I believe the citizens feel the same way.”

Flatto’s biggest criticism of Nelson has been his voting record; that Nelson has not voted in local or state elections for the last five years. Nelson admitted that “that would be correct,” but that he does not think it hinders his chances to be elected. “I know how important voting is because I protected that right by wearing a uniform and putting my life on the line,” he said.

Democrats in Fairfield are also bringing up the fact that Nelson was not living in Fairfield as far back as 2004 and as recently as last year. Nelson said he lived in the house for the first and last of those five years, because he was overseas and was living in “any number of other places.”

Nelson said of his campaign progress, “I’ve got my ear to the ground and I’m being told that my platform has got it.”
And what platform is that? From what we could find, it’s “Fairfield is a great town, but it could be a whole lot better.” That, and “I love the outdoor tables and the warm environment on Post Rd. That’s really what I’d like to see more of.”

Flatto recommends that anyone driving through Fairfield check out Las Vetas for a cup of coffee, Hobby Town for “a nice Mom and Pop feel” and Billy’s Bakery. Nelson prefers Chat N’ Chew for coffee, Fin for sushi and Royal Cleaners for dry-cleaning.

Oh and both candidates would entertain the idea of a John Mayer fund-raising concert.


GREENWICH FIRST SELECTMAN

An elected representative in Greenwich since the age of 18, Peter Tesei is the Republican candidate, as Jim Lash prepares to leave the office. Quick to point out his accomplishments as chairman of the town’s BET (Board of Estimation and Taxation), he told us the board is “very similar to Black Entertainment Television.” He’s kidding, of course. Or is he?

His Democratic challenger is Frank Farricker, and while most of his experience is in real estate and on the Planning and Zoning Commission, Farricker did run for senator last year in the 36th district. But he doesn’t consider himself a politician, adding that even if he is elected to be one, it’s a “good ethic to live by.” He said, “It’s the political version of ‘keepin’ it real.’”

Stop joking around gentlemen, please. Let’s get down to business here.

Tesei wants to “keep the community diverse,” “keep taxes at a modest and predictable level,” and keep improving the town’s schools. Farricker is often quoted as saying the “status quo isn’t enough” and so he believes he represents an important shift in Greenwich leadership.

“It’s about time we make some changes and move forward,” says Farricker, adding that Tesei believes that making changes in the town “would be like attacking his own record.” And with an emphasis on setting priorities for the town, Farricker said “too often, Greenwich has waited for the crisis before acting.” He wants to focus on the environment (the town has the state’s worst air and water quality), schools (too much time has been spent on ancillary issues instead of actual education) and getting projects completed (the Byram Library project needs a serious push).

Farricker, the real estate and zoning expert in the race, wants to speed the progress of the Byram Library project, which he says has not met any of its time targets. He has proposed a plan to jump-start a project that’s been delayed by unforeseen problems, that includes more funding and more resources while all the while “protecting the rights of town residents.” We’re not entirely sure what rights he’s referring to, but we’ll assume it’s their right to have a functioning library that’s not covered in scaffolding.

Farricker’s website reports that Tesei is misleading the public, pointing out problems with the completion of the town’s Public Safety Complex by saying the project is “on-time and on-budget.” Tesei told us that he stands by those comments because of feedback he’s heard from the project’s supervisors.

Then, Tesei pointed out that it may in fact be Farricker who is misleading the public. He told us that they’re both, by virtue of their respective offices, members of the Glenville School Building Committee and that Farricker only attended one of 19 of the committee’s meetings. Tesei asked, “Why isn’t [Farricker] willing to lend his expertise when his town really needs it?”

Despite their problems with each other, both men are committed to their hometown. Farricker is concerned that the lack of accountability and transparency in the town’s government has inspired “less and less good people” to run for office. Tesei said he too believes it is important to be open and accessible. “I enjoy that part of the service,” he says.

Asked about Greenwich’s local flavor, Tesei recommended the Bulldog Pub in Cos Cob for casual dining. Farricker, in a similar vein, said the town’s hidden gem is its chili. “Picnics, restaurants, Port Chester and all over town; we have the best chili.”

As for political idols, Tesei went big with Ronald Reagan and Farricker went small with 1980 independent (though historically a Republican) presidential candidate John Anderson, whom he met when he was 15 at the town library. “He was a very decent and motivated man,” he says.

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