Submitted by John Bologna, Greenwich, write-in candidate for RTM District 3.
As a third-generation Greenwich resident, I recall how not long ago most residents were Republicans or Independents. Republicans reliably won first and second selectman and the board chairs, with Democrats filling out the remaining seats as the loyal opposition.
The RTM consisted of our friends and neighbors who wanted to run, regardless of party, often with fewer candidates than seats in many districts and almost everyone being seated. National political issues did not trickle down to divide the town.
The selectmen, BOE, BET and RTM all shared a common interest in doing what was best for Greenwich and worked together for the good of our schools, firemen and policemen, public parks and infrastructure. They kept us safe, healthy and well-educated, our property values high and our taxes low. While there was an unfortunate tradition of deferred maintenance of town properties, everyone came together to recognize when major repairs or new structures were needed and didn’t pinch pennies.
Races are now more competitive, as is demonstrated by the fact that Greenwich has favored the Democrat in three out of the last four presidential elections while the first selectman and boards have remained under Republican control. The level of political rhetoric is elevated at election time since the outcome is no longer assured.
This cycle, it spread to the RTM, even though candidates are not listed by party on the ballot. Nearly all districts have more candidates than available seats. Please research all of the candidates in your district and vote for those who will join with others to do what’s best for our town as opposed to following an ideological agenda.
We need people who will support building and maintaining safe schools, providing our fire and police departments with the resources they need to protect us, repairing our sidewalks and roads, preserving our parks and beaches and bringing the community together instead of causing division.
If you happen to live in District 3 and write me in as an RTM candidate on your ballot, I would be grateful and will promise to do just that.
While you are at it please vote for Elias Cohen, Sylvester Pecora, Steven Rubin and Karsten Vagner and also write in Hale Bayram, Isra Selin Bayram and Dawn Fortunato. Every vote counts.
John Bologna, Greenwich, write-in candidate for RTM District 3
NOTE: The deadline to submit letters to the editor about candidates in Greenwich’s Nov. 7, 2023 municipal election was Oct 30, 2023