Editorial
In just under four weeks’ time, Connecticut will hold a special election to fill the 36th District state senatorial seat which includes all of Greenwich, a portion of north Stamford and about half of New Canaan. The seat was formerly held by Alex Kasser, who abruptly resigned earlier this summer.
Given the compressed schedule, special elections must be held within a 45-day window, there will be very little time for the traditional trappings of political campaigns – speeches, debates, rallies, etc. The result will be determined by whomever gets the best turnout, which is likely to be low, both because it is a single race election, and because the election falls on a lazy hazy day August.
The result of that election could have major consequences for the representation of our town’s interests in the legislature in Hartford, as well as on the direction our state government takes in dealing with the many challenges that face us.
There are three candidates running to fill the seat. Ryan Fazio, a republican who narrowly lost to Kasser last year. Alexis Gevanter, a democrat who is a business attorney. And John Blankley, also a democrat who is running as a petition candidate.
The three candidates are all bright, qualified individuals with strong convictions and clearly articulated views. They each deserve thoughtful consideration and review of their positions by all voters in the 36th senatorial district.
We believe we have found a silver lining to the current state of local campaigns. One beneficial byproduct of the limitations on this campaign may be that we will not see a repeat of past electoral practices. Too often in the past, in seeking to distinguish one candidate from another, the rhetoric devolved into divisive personal attacks and unsanctioned acts of misinformation.
We hope that the shortened campaign window will mean a focus on positions and not on opponents.
We are incredibly fortunate to be a community of active, engaged citizens. One has only to look at the degree to which volunteerism defines and supports all our local institutions – political, social, charitable, religious, etc. Greenwich has long enjoyed a tradition of civic-mindedness and social civility that transcends politics – people being civil neither because of nor in spite of politics – just because it is the right way to treat your neighbors.
In essence, this is a tradition we are born to, of simple respect for others with whom we live in a community. Unfortunately, there are those that say we have lost that skill, been untrue to our tradition.
Certainly, pandemic concerns and political passions on the national stage have contributed to a certain touchiness and lack of patience that we see evident in social gatherings and in automobile interactions (especially on Greenwich Avenue).
Hopefully, these are merely temporary irritations that will decline as the summer continues and people are reminded of the natural beauty which surrounds us and the extraordinary town amenities we enjoy. And perhaps, just perhaps, that experience will pour over into our local political discourse, and we can have a special election devoid of rancor and division.
It is important to remember that a government of the people – a democracy, has room for discourse and differing opinions. It must because otherwise it would not be a democracy. However, it, and by extension our community, does not have patience for intolerance. If it did, we would not have the community we have today.
Yes, it is our hope for a civil campaign to fill the vacancy in the 36th Senate district. We hope everyone will take the time to learn about the candidates and choose who they think is best for our community. If you are not going to be in town in August, please fill out an absentee ballot, so your vote can be counted.
