Thursday, December 21, 2006
Looks like the seniors in town got an early Christmas present. By a 5-0 vote, the Board of Selectmen approved the building of a new senior center.
Most seniors love the senior center, and advocated for improvements to the current building at most. However, the Board of Selectmen got it right. Selectwoman Santarella and First Selectwoman Klein put it best in today's Darien Times, stating that this decision was made with future seniors in mind. Today's crop of seniors really shouldn't complain too much either; they'll be getting a brand new facility.
On the political side of things...
With 2007 just around the corner one can't help but think of the race for First Selectman. While we are still months away from the first Tuesday in November, it's always fun to make some New Years speculations. One can only assume that the RTC will work hard to take the top spot back for the first time in four years. Many have speculated that the RTC decision to have Paul Hendrickson replace Kevin Newman on the BOS was a move to prepare him for a run at the top spot in '07. Mr. Hendrickson's resume is very impressive, but his performance on the Board of Selectmen hasn't been much to write home about. Another Republican name that comes to mind is Peter Hovell. While thefederalist hasn't heard anything out of Mr. Hovell's mouth about running, it wouldn't be too suprising to see the streets of Darien peppered with "Elect Hovell" signs next Fall. However, after being swiftly (and suprisingly) booted out of office one can't help but question Mr. Hovell's political capital. Does he have enough support around town to return to Town Hall? Only time will tell.
On the Democrat side...all fingers point to Evonne Klein. In talking to people around town, one gets the impression that the current First Selectwoman could have her job for as long as she wants. She's already beaten a well known incumbent, blown out an electoral challenger, and has been delivering for the people of Darien along the way. From what thefederalist has heard, nobody knows whether First Selectwoman Klein has made a decision about whether to run or not. Should Mrs. Klein choose not to, the Democrats may find themselves in a spot of trouble: Mrs. Klein is very popular and the rest of their bench is very thin. The first name that comes to mind is Callie Sullivan, former candidate for State Rep. in 2004. Perhaps with Klein's support, Mrs. Sullivan would be able to hold the seat for the Dems. It is the opinion of thefederalist that she would benefit from a tour of duty as a regular member on the Board of Selectmen.
What about regular members on the BOS? Don't be suprised if you see names like David Bayne and Jeff Williams pop up. Both are young, smart, up-and-coming members of their parties who both could one day run for the seat in the middle.
Prediction: Susan Young and Barbara Thorne will not run for re-election in 2007. Selectwoman Thorne has been at it for a long time, and one can't expect her to stay there forever. While it should be assumed that Selectwoman Thorne would continue to stay involved at the local level, serving on the BOS has to get tired sometimes.
Selectwoman Young, the RTC's candidate for First Selectwoman in 2005, will not run again in 2007. I feel bad for Selectwoman Young, because I did give her a tough run in the '05 election cycle, and she does give a lot to our town. However, she just doesn't appear to be made for the political arena at any level (which is OK, not many of us are). Her performance on the Board of Selectmen has left much to be desired, especially for someone who was running for the top position. While this may sound rude, many Republicans who are serious about taking back Town Hall sometime this decade are already mulling over a younger replacement to one day run for the top spot.
So what about thefederalist?? Well, my local electoral wish this year is....KLEIN vs HOVELL 2007. Klein and Hovell, one last time...I'm excited for November already.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and we'll talk in 2007.
Most seniors love the senior center, and advocated for improvements to the current building at most. However, the Board of Selectmen got it right. Selectwoman Santarella and First Selectwoman Klein put it best in today's Darien Times, stating that this decision was made with future seniors in mind. Today's crop of seniors really shouldn't complain too much either; they'll be getting a brand new facility.
On the political side of things...
With 2007 just around the corner one can't help but think of the race for First Selectman. While we are still months away from the first Tuesday in November, it's always fun to make some New Years speculations. One can only assume that the RTC will work hard to take the top spot back for the first time in four years. Many have speculated that the RTC decision to have Paul Hendrickson replace Kevin Newman on the BOS was a move to prepare him for a run at the top spot in '07. Mr. Hendrickson's resume is very impressive, but his performance on the Board of Selectmen hasn't been much to write home about. Another Republican name that comes to mind is Peter Hovell. While thefederalist hasn't heard anything out of Mr. Hovell's mouth about running, it wouldn't be too suprising to see the streets of Darien peppered with "Elect Hovell" signs next Fall. However, after being swiftly (and suprisingly) booted out of office one can't help but question Mr. Hovell's political capital. Does he have enough support around town to return to Town Hall? Only time will tell.
On the Democrat side...all fingers point to Evonne Klein. In talking to people around town, one gets the impression that the current First Selectwoman could have her job for as long as she wants. She's already beaten a well known incumbent, blown out an electoral challenger, and has been delivering for the people of Darien along the way. From what thefederalist has heard, nobody knows whether First Selectwoman Klein has made a decision about whether to run or not. Should Mrs. Klein choose not to, the Democrats may find themselves in a spot of trouble: Mrs. Klein is very popular and the rest of their bench is very thin. The first name that comes to mind is Callie Sullivan, former candidate for State Rep. in 2004. Perhaps with Klein's support, Mrs. Sullivan would be able to hold the seat for the Dems. It is the opinion of thefederalist that she would benefit from a tour of duty as a regular member on the Board of Selectmen.
What about regular members on the BOS? Don't be suprised if you see names like David Bayne and Jeff Williams pop up. Both are young, smart, up-and-coming members of their parties who both could one day run for the seat in the middle.
Prediction: Susan Young and Barbara Thorne will not run for re-election in 2007. Selectwoman Thorne has been at it for a long time, and one can't expect her to stay there forever. While it should be assumed that Selectwoman Thorne would continue to stay involved at the local level, serving on the BOS has to get tired sometimes.
Selectwoman Young, the RTC's candidate for First Selectwoman in 2005, will not run again in 2007. I feel bad for Selectwoman Young, because I did give her a tough run in the '05 election cycle, and she does give a lot to our town. However, she just doesn't appear to be made for the political arena at any level (which is OK, not many of us are). Her performance on the Board of Selectmen has left much to be desired, especially for someone who was running for the top position. While this may sound rude, many Republicans who are serious about taking back Town Hall sometime this decade are already mulling over a younger replacement to one day run for the top spot.
So what about thefederalist?? Well, my local electoral wish this year is....KLEIN vs HOVELL 2007. Klein and Hovell, one last time...I'm excited for November already.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and we'll talk in 2007.
