By Anne White
The Round Hill Association candidate debate was held on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. The debate was held virtually and featured the candidates for First Selectmen, incumbent Republican Fred Camillo, and his Democratic challenger, Bill Kelly.
Incumbent Second Selectwoman, Republican Lauren Rabin, also debated her challenger, Democrat Janet Stone McGuigan.
Two-minute statements were read by the candidates for Town Clerk and Tax Collector in support of their candidacies.
The debate was moderated by John Conte, President of the Round Hill Association. The questions asked of the candidates were submitted by the public and Round Hill Association board members in advance of the event.
John Conte opened by saying, “we look forward to a lively and friendly discussion.”
In answer to the question of priorities, Kelly said his priorities are, “school infrastructure, flooding infrastructure. I’m the construction litigator. I represent some of the biggest projects in New York City. And I understand I have my hard hat, I got my boots and I got my vest.”
Camillo answered, “my priorities are public safety, schools, public health.”
The discussion covered a range of topics, including capital projects, Greenwich Public Schools, Greenwich Avenue safety, fire safety in the back country, and the overall vision of each candidate. The discussion also centered on the Board of Estimate and Taxation and the issue of financing and long-term debt.
Kelly said, “I served on the BET, and we actually do long-term bonding for Nathaniel Witherell. We also do it for the sewers. So we we’re going to do a major project, certainly with the treasury rates at what, 2.1 for 20 year treasury bonds right now? This is not the 1980s when the treasuries were 15%. They are 2%. So, yes, you would have some long-term for a major project.”
Camillo responded by saying, “Long-term bonding, long-term debt is not a good thing. We saw what happened with a lot of cities and some of our neighbors. So I don’t support that. When I was on the parks board, we acquired two thirds of the Tuchman Pomerance property. So we did a modified pay as you go. I think it was a five year note. We paid it off quickly. That I’m open to. We do have some long-term, as my opponent said, that’s dedicated to Nathaniel Witherell and the sewers, but, you’ve got to be very, very careful.”
As the debate moved forward, the tone got more contentious as Kelly said, “I don’t want to get political. I’m not the career politician here.”
Camillo, whose only full-time political position has been as First Selectman said, “I was in the private sector most of my life. That’s just a cheap shot, and it’s not needed here.”
He went on to say, “that’s not what everybody’s here for. They’re here for your vision. And, yes, my record is open. As Bill Parcells says, ‘You are what your record says you are.’ I’m running on my record and my vision, but I’m not going to keep deflecting and going over about the Democratic BOE members or the Democratic BET members. It’s not fair to the audience here.”
Kelly countered, “you don’t get a vote in the BET,” Kelly said, “but you do use your bully pulpit. You do get to prioritize. You do get to say, ‘That should come first. This should come second. That’s what you need to do.’ That’s what we need to do as First Selectman.”
Camillo said, “I work well with both parties and the BET… But it’s not a dictatorship. Our government’s set up in a way where you have checks and balances. Anybody who thinks they can run roughshod over somebody is going to be in for an awful hard time.”
Before the debate began there were staements from Town Clerk candidates and Tax Collector candiddates.
Jackie Budkins emphasized personal interaction, trust and service in the Town Clerk’s office as priorities while Molly Saleeby emphasized modernization and technology.
Heather Smeriglio, the current Tax Collector, said that she was able, “to work with the town’s RTM to put into place a 90 day deferment program, helping many residents and business owners. Despite the delay in payment, I am pleased to report the collection rate of real estate taxes for 2020 was 99.64.” She went on to say “I brought in three million in back taxes, without running a tax sale. This year, I was able to pre-collect $35 million before the July 1st due date, putting the town in one of the best financial positions ever.”
Her opponent, Trevor Crow, said she understands the job better because she has a degree in finance and in family therapy, “understanding both, the emotional and financial aspects of the job.” She went on to say, “When I am tax collector, I will keep Greenwich residents and The Board of Estimate And Taxations, apprised of delinquent tax accounts and the steps my office is taking to collect on them.”
The transcript without commentary can be found on the Greenwich Sentinel website.
