Submitted by John Macri, Jr.
To The Editor:
Well, the “Do Over” Greenwich Republican Town Committee Primary is over. Let’s take note of the situation and results.
RTC Chairperson Beth MacGillivray and her NO UniParty (their words) were not happy with the results of this past January’s caucus results, so they forced a “primary,” which really wasn’t a primary because by definition, a primary comes first. Let’s face it, Tuesday’s Republican vote was a “do over” and Ms MacGillivray’s attempt to stack the deck of like-minded RTC members backfired.
Of the 27 contested seats in Tuesday’s vote, the NO UniParty lost 21. In addition, they lost 4 more seats than they originally secured in January’s caucus! They would have been better off staying with the caucus vote. But no, the “No Fred Slate” (also their words) wanted to make a statement about their ideals, wanting to prove their thinking a majority of Republicans in town support their vision and negative tactics.
Ms MacGillivray and her associates wanted a much larger representation of registered Republicans to cast their vote for their NO UniParty RTC candidates, than those who attended the January caucuses. She wanted a mandate in the RTC. What she got was a mandate for the Committee for a United RTC whose candidates were supported by our First Selectman Fred Camillo and Selectwoman Lauren Rabin. And, Ms MacGillivray and her associates may have lost a majority in the RTC which could mean a shakeup in officers.
A final thought. During the campaign, the NO UniParty emphasized registered Republicans are outnumbered by Unaffiliated and registered Democrats. As an Unaffiliated voter myself, I’m asking if Ms MacGillivray will propose reimbursing the Town of Greenwich for the cost of having the “do over/ RTC primary?” Why should my tax dollars and those of all the other Unaffiliated and registered Democrats in town go toward paying for the RTC to settle a squabble? Will the current officers of the RTC even think about reimbursing the Town for its expenses, personnel, equipment, security, overtime, etc? Why should the entire Greenwich community have to pay for this?
I’m glad this nightmare is over.
John Macri, Jr. is a retired public school teacher and a lifelong resident of Greenwich.