Politics & Government

Greenwich GOP Opens Campaign HQs


Fiscal responsibility and continuing the practice of short-term borrowing to pay for capital projects were the themes that resonated in the Greenwich Republican campaign headquarters that was officially opened Thursday night.

Local Republicans praised their candidates' collective performances "of funding the needs of the town ably and responsibly. Let there be no doubt that they will be continuing to the job they have done," said Jim Campbell, chair of the Republican Town Committee.

More than 50 party faithful sipped wine and knoshed on hors d'oeuvres in the headquarters at 9 E. Putnam Ave. — the storefront that previously housed Exquisite Surfaces. The opening drew state representatives Fred Camillo, Livvy Floren and Steve Walko.

The Republican ticket is headed by three-term incumbent First Selectman Peter Tesei who said the GOP slate "is a lot like a family...I've been known to disagree with the BET (Board of Estimate and Taxation). Like members of your family, sometimes you disagree. It's healthy to have debate. We all stand for putting Greenwich first. We have a lot at stake in this election."

Tesei said the town needs to continue its capital projects financing practice of issuing short-term bonds—a practice that is being challenged by his Democratic opponent Beth Krumeich and the Democratic slate for the BET. Tesei said the short-term borrowing is cheaper in the long-run and doesn't saddle future generations of taxpayers with debt.

Tesei described the Democrats' challenge to the town's financial practices as "CPR — cheap political rhetoric,"  in a reference to incumbent Democratic Selectman Drew Marzullo who is a paramedic supervisor for Greenwich Emergency Medical Service.

Tesei's running mate is three-term incumbent David Theis, who quoted one of his political heroes, President Ronald Reagan. "During the Cold War, President Reagan said, 'We win, they lose.' That is our task. That is our challenge this year," Theis said.

The RTC-endorsed Board of Education candidates, newcomers Peter Bernstein and Brian Peldunas also were introduced to the crowd. Campbell acknowledged the attendance of Peter Sherr, the incumbent Board of Education member who is a petition candidate on the GOP slate. The top two Republican vote-getters will earn a four-year term on the board.

Also speaking to the crowd was incumbent Tax Collector Tod Laudonia who is being challenged again by Democrat Rick Novakowski.

Guaranteed election to the BET are incumbents Arthur Norton, Leslie Tarkington, Marc Johnson and chairman Mike Mason, with new Republican members Nancy Weissler and Bill Drake.

Also guaranteed election to a 12th term is Town Clerk Carmella Budkins who told the crowd "we must reach across the aisle—that's our task in November and bring the numbers" for victory.


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