Rudy Marconi, Ridgefield's new First Selectman, tonight gained Board approval to restore the Christmas lights to Main Street this year. The tree lights, a modern Ridgefield tradition, had been discontinued two years ago when the Chamber of Commerce found itself unable to continue to fund the project. Marconi told the Board he had heard overwhelming support for the tree lights from town residents, and gained the support of fellow Democrat Barbara Manners and Republican Peter Yanity for the project. Tonight's action will provide $4500 from the Town's $50,000 contingency fund for work necessary to prepare and string the lights. Newly-elected Republican Steve Zemo voted against the holiday lights, in a move described as "Grinchy."
[Photo: The new Board of Selectmen: From left - Barbara Manners, Rudy Marconi, Peter Yanity, and Steve Zemo.]
Penny Hoffman [photo, right, standing], head of the Chamber of Commerce, appeared before the Selectmen to explain that the Chamber could not afford the cost of lighting the Main Street trees. First Selectman Rudy Marconi [photo, left] questioned Ms. Hoffman on some of the assumptions the Chamber had made --- why was it necessary to prune the trees every year in order to have the lights installed? ...what State law required that the lights be removed shortly after the holiday passed? ... Rudy, investigating the bare bones requirements, had found a way to light up Main Street for only $4,500 of Town money, and some creative use of volunteer help, which he had also arranged.
To find a ready source for the needed $4,500, Rudy questioned Controller Jay Wohlberg [photo, right], who reported that the Town's $50,000 contingency budget was largely unused to date. Rudy successfully agrued that a one-time expenditure of this amount was the right thing to do to insure that Ridgefield's Main Street would be lit for the holiday season in this Milennium Year. Several questioners attempted to draw him into a scenario in which Town sponsorship would be an implied commitment in future years --- Rudy simply explained that this vote was for this $4,500 expenditure, for this year, and that next year would be an entirely new discussion. (At Selectwoman Barbara Manner's suggestion, the Town has since established a fund for community events, to which businesses and residents may make tax-deductible contributions.) The new First Selectman's logic, and the fact that he was clearly representing the majority opinion of townspeople, won over fellow Selectmen Barbara Manners and Peter Yanity. Newly-elected Republican Steve Zemo was the lone holdout, arguing that, somehow, lighting the trees would deprive needy people of food.
GO TO
Campaign News
Brought to you by the Ridgefield, Ct.
Democratic Town Committee, Rudy Marconi, Chairman
Paid for by The Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee, Edwin C. Pearson, Treasurer
