Republican Selectman John Toner announced this week that he has decided not to pursue another term. “I will continue to work hard to assure the victory of the candidates nominated by the Republican Town Committee for the ballot,” he wrote in a statement.
Last Friday, at a press conference, First Selectman Peter Tesei announced he would not run for a 7th term.
Mr. Toner was selected by Republican First Selectman Peter Tesei and former Democratic Selectman Drew Marzullo to fill the remaining term of Republican Selectman Dave Theis who died on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014. He was sworn in on Jan 14, 2015.
At the time Mr. Tesei and Mr. Marzullo said they selected Mr. Toner for his deep roots in Greenwich.
Toner attended St. Mary’s grammar school and St. Mary’s High School. He has a Master of Arts in teaching and taught briefly in Greenwich.
Before a 27-year career in finance at Chase Manhattan Bank, Toner spent two years teaching English and Literature in the Peace Corps in Ghana.
In 1998 Mr. Toner was elected to the RTM for District 2. In 2008 he was elected in to the RTM for District 9.
After completing the remainder of Mr. Theis’ term, Toner went on to win two additional terms.
In the November 7, 2017 election, Mr. Toner was the top vote-getter, with 7,619 votes to Mr. Tesei’s 7,569.
“These five years of working with Peter and the other Selectmen have been exceptionally rewarding,” he wrote.
On Friday morning radio show, Tesei said he had a strong sense that Toner was not going to run again. He described Toner as a consummate gentleman.
“He is someone who always has a positive word to say about people and things,” Tesei said. “I wish him well as both of us transition to a new time in our lives.”
