Tesei Seeks a 3rd Term as First Selectman

Amid a standing room only crowd in the Town Hall Meeting room of Greenwich Town Hall, Republican Peter Tesei launched his re-election campaign for a third term Wednesday  night.

The 43-year-old Tesei made the much-anticipated announcement in a 45-minute event hosted by fellow Republican and outgoing Board of Estimate and Taxation Chair Steve Walko. While the packed room featured a Who's Who in Greenwich Republican politics - including former First Selectmen Rebecca Breed, Lolly Prince, Tom Ragland and John Margenot, former selectman Peter Crumbine and state Rep. Livvy Floren - it was obvious that Tesei had bi-partisan support.

Cross-party supporters who spoke included Democrat Julie Faryniarz, who said she crosses party lines to vote for those who support public education and improving the school system's infrastructure; registered Independent Betsey Frumin, chair of the Representative Town Meeting District 9 who regaled the crowd with memories of Tesei growing up as a neighbor and friend of her children, and Tom Conelias, a Repubican of the RTM's District 3, who described Tesei as "someone who genuinely cares."

Tesei said that his four years in office has been a "government of we, not me." He cited his record of modest tax increases, support of emergency services, rebuilding education infrastructure; working with state legislators to obtain state approval to renovated The Nathaniel Witherell nursing home; protecting the town's neighborhoods and conducting an open, transparent government. 

Tesei said that he, Theis and incumbent Democratic freshman selectman Drew Marzullo have built a collaborative relationship and "collegeality that puts the interests of the Greenwich first."

Tesei thanked his supporters for their bi-partisan support and acknowledged former Democratic selectman Penny Monahan, who works part-time in the selectman's office, who received a boisterous round of applause and cheers that rivaled Tesei's reception.

Tesei said he "will continue to draw upon the rich talent of our citizenry to assist me in government and provide solutions for our challenges. Now more than ever our system of collaboration, strong citizen involvement and partnerships between the public and private sector will be required to keep Greenwich a ‘shining city on hill.'" 

In addressing the Republicans, Theis confessed to being a member of one of the classes to graduate from Greenwich High School when it was housed in the current Town Hall.  "This (room) was the girls gymnasium and my office across the hall was the office of Mr.  Bella ( a former GHS head for whom one of the school's houses is named)," Theis said. "If he could see this now," Theis added to laughter.

Also on the Republican ticket are Town Clerk Carmella Budkins, who is in her 10th two-year term, and Tax Collector Tod Laudonia, who is seeking a second-two-year term.

Tesei said his former Greenwich car dealership magnate Malcolm Pray is the honorary chair of his campaign, with John Toner as chairman; Floren and Mary Staples-Webber, vice chairs; Alan Gilbert and Board of Education member Michael Bodson, co-chairs of finance, and Steve Warzoha as campaign manager.

Tesei will face Democrat John Blankley, a Greenwich businessman and member of the RTM, who tossed his hat into the politcal ring earlier this month. Democratic Selectman Drew Marzullo previously announced his re-election bid.

Tesei was accompanied by his wife Jill, and the couple's two children, Caroline, 4, and James, 2. The children amused themselves by meandering through the crowd. At one point, Tesei quipped, "they provide me the balance and perspective needed to be an effective leader."

Both the Republican and Democratic Town committees will hold their formal nominating conventions in mid July.