Wth just over a month left to go until Greenwich’s municipal election, both Republicans and Democrats are ramping up campaign efforts.
The GOP is focused on showing the residents of Greenwich why the town should continue to be lead by Republicans, while the Democrats are trying to get out the word of their candidates’ many accomplishments, and trying to build upon momentum that began in 2017 with close elections, and continued last year when State Rep. Stephen Meskers and State Sen. Alex Bergstein were elected.
Rich DiPreta, chair of Greenwich’s Republican Town Committee, said his party is “solidly behind” First Selectman candidate and current State Rep. Fred Camillo, and his running mate and current Board of Education member, Lauren Rabin, who will seek a selectman position.
DiPreta pointed out the unity that exists in the party, which was evident in July when Michael Mason, a longtime Board of Estimate and Taxation member, ended his First Selectman campaign so the spotlight could be on Camillo.
“Michael Mason is a fantastic candidate. He’s a loyal resident of the town of Greenwich and a great Republican. His experience on the BET for years, including several as chairman, have been invaluable to the town,” DiPreta said.
Now, with its campaign headquarters set-up at 450 E. Putnam Ave., Republicans are looking to get their message out to residents.
“The leadership our candidates have provided, and Republicans overall, has really made Greenwich the place that it is; a place with great schools, low property taxes and great town services,” DiPreta said. “In the rest of the state, people are leaving. Greenwich has been a nice little bubble in what has happened in our state, and it’s in no small way due to Republican leadership. We want everyone to know that that leadership will continue, and our candidates have vast experience.”
One candidate with experience is Camillo, who has been a State Representative since 2008, and is a former member of the Greenwich RTM.
Camillo has been knocking on doors throughout town, and said he’s enjoying working with the people of Greenwich through his campaign.
“As we’re getting closer and closer to the election, just the sheer volume of volunteers and calls and excitement and enthusiasm is something that I’ll never forget,” Camillo said of the last few months.
In the coming weeks, Camillo said he simply wants to get out in front of the people so they can learn about his record, vision and personality.
“Your record and your vision are the two things you can offer people, but also getting them to know you. Anybody who is a constituent in the 151st District knows that I’ll listen and be willing to meet with people,” he said. “Even if we don’t agree, I always try to look for something in the opposing viewpoint that I can work with and I can include in a solution to a problem. I think it’s the key to public service.”
Camillo mentioned the three R’s of his platform: Reform, Revitalize and Reinvigorate, and added that they’ve contributed to making Greenwich “the best run town in the last 90 years.”
Greenwich must encourage and embrace public-private partnerships, and reform how projects get funded, he said. Valuable town properties, especially those on the waterfront, should be revitalized in order to “implement best possible usage of those town assets.” He mentioned the unsightly trucks that are parked on the waterfront
“That’s one thing that I would endeavor to change, but I’d do it in a way that people are going to enjoy those properties and to further enhance those natural characteristics of our town that we may sometimes take for granted,” Camillo added.
He has said that Greenwich must reinvigorate itself and complete projects big and small to give future generations pride and enjoyment.
Camillo also wants to build upon what Greenwich has done well.
“I just don’t want to be a good steward of the town, I want to be a transformative leader,” he said.
Camillo added that the campaign process can be stressful, but he’s trying to enjoy it the best he can. “I try to enjoy each and every day,” he said.
Joe Angland, chair for Greenwich’s Democratic Town Committee, said there has been a lot of enthusiasm from the voters since campaigns were launched several months ago, but there’s still a lot of work to do in the coming weeks.
“We’d like to continue the momentum [from past elections] but we’re not going to sit back and rely on that. We’re going to try and let the voters know what these people have to offer,” Angland said.
However, In recent weeks, Democrats in Greenwich have made headlines after Tony Turner, former DTC chair and current member of the BET, was fined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission for violating campaign financing rules in 2017. The other five Democrats on the board were also fined $1,000 each, for unintentional violations.
Angland acknowledged that the situation has been a distraction, but said the Democrats have taken the situation in-stride.
Jill Oberlander, chair of the Board of Estimate and Taxation, is running for first selectman, along with Sandy Litvack, who will seek reelection on the Board of Selectmen.
Angland touted Oberlander’s accomplishments as a lawyer and employee in New York City’s Parks Department and Transportation Department, and said her work with the BET has prepared her for Greenwich’s chief elected position. He praised Litvack for his work as the Chief of Corporate Operations and then Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Walt Disney.
“Both of those people are really well prepared to take something as complicated as the governance of Greenwich and run with it. When you go down the line and look at our candidates, they are particularly well suited for the positions for which they’re running,” Angland added. “We know and the Republicans know that municipal election years don’t get the turnout that presidential election years get. I think both parties are doing what they can to let people know that there are issues worth voting for and people worth voting for.”
Oberlander said it’s been a busy summer since she launched her campaign in June. She’s been knocking on doors and meeting voters, attending various events and making phone calls.
“I enjoy it,” she said. “It’s been a great opportunity to talk with residents about their priorities in town, as well as their concerns.”
Just like Camillo has his Three R’s, Oberlander has her Three E’s: Economy, Education and the Environment.
On the economy, Oberlander said she’s proud to have produced the lowest rate of increase in the mill rate in years, as chair of the BET. If elected, she expressed a desire to work on a “business retention, attraction and creation plan,” which would work on economic development.
“We want to do immediate outreach to our business owners to show them the love, and to find out how things are going for them, what’s working and what’s not, how the town can facilitate their stability and their growth in our community,” she said.
Oberlander called education the “foundation of our community.” She wants to work on enhancing the collaboration between schools, and support teachers and students with facilities that meet 21st century needs.
On the environment, Oberlander wants to “keep the green in Greenwich” by advocating for electric vehicle charging stations in town and increased sidewalk and bicycle access. She also wants to protect open spaces, and clean up the town’s fields on both the contamination front and facility improvement front.
In the weeks ahead, Oberlander said she’s focused on telling her story to as many voters as possible.
“I bring real experience in municipal management and proven bi-partisan leadership in Town government,” she said, citing her experience working in city and state government in New York City and her involvement with the RTM and BET in Greenwich. “I want to protect our community, I want to enhance the beautiful character we have, and I want to use the skills and experience I have to be able to do all of that while keeping our budget in check in a fiscally responsible way, and our mill rate low. We need the leadership experience in order to do that.”
There are a couple of debates scheduled in October for the candidates. On Oct. 10 from 7-9 p.m., at Greenwich High School, there will be two consecutive debates for the First Selectman candidates, and Selectman candidates.
The Round Hill Association will also hold a debate between the same candidates on Oct. 22 at Round Hill Community House.
