His vision of the future included an aggressive plan to identify and disclose to the residents all of the upcoming costs of school building projects, a vow to "put the shovel into the ground" for the new Middle School, take back Bennetts Pond, sell Ippoliti--and use it for the elderly care/housing for which it is zoned--at a potential profit to the Town, and a plan for addressing the Town's traffic issues at their core--the central business district.
Mr. Morelli took credit for everything from getting the Middle School off the endless referendum cycle of his term and for acquiring 120 acres of open space. When asked to substantiate the open space, address the final cost of the needed school projects, address Bennetts Pond and come up with plans, not committees, the incumbent seemed stuck on repeating his prepared remarks, and could not come up with more detail or fresh information.
The debate raised more questions about the current administration. Morelli's collaboration with the Board of Education on a letter positioned as an "update on the school building projects" was questioned by Rudy Marconi. The letter, issued at taxpayer expense, on town time, by town employees at the Board of Education, was signed by Linda Bunyan, the Republican Chair of the Board of Education, currently running for re-election. It cites the First Selectman specifically in the letter and gives him "credit" for getting committees off the ground.
Questioning the timing of the "mailing" which apparently was sent to an undisclosed portion of the school population, Mr. Marconi asked Mr. Morelli why this "report" was issued a week before the elections. Marconi remarked that, despite the comprehensive "look" of the letter, it fell short of any concrete plans. "More of the same", offered Mr. Marconi.
Most interesting, however, was an apparent slip by Mr. Morelli, indicating that the Ridgefield Press is covering the letter and the school building "report" this week.
This revelation prompted Mr. Marconi to ask the obvious question, "How do you know what is being published in the Ridgefield Press? It is Wednesday and the Press doesn't appear until tomorrow?"
When pressed by Rudy, Mr. Morelli claimed that the Press was following up on the letter sent by the BOE. Mr. Marconi suggested that the Press was not responding to the "letter", but, in fact, was following up on a story offered by the current First Selectman. Obviously uncomfortable, Mr Morelli defended his administration's collaboration with the current BOE chairwoman and the Committee. More on this issue will obviously come out in the last critical days before the election.
The debate ended with each candidate offering the reasons why he should be elected as the next First Selectman of Ridgefield.
Mr. Marconi, looking straight into the camera, concluded with a ringing testimonial to his commitment to the town and his promise that action will be taken on the most important issues before us.
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Democratic Town Committee, Rudy Marconi, Chairman
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