Editorial: For Darien first selectman

Written by The Darien Times
Thursday, 29 October 2009 08:39

We have been treated to a fairly tame, positive campaign in town this year — something that was missing the past few municipal election seasons. If the candidates govern how they campaign, Darienites can look forward to two more years of civility on the Board of Selectmen, the town’s executive branch. If either Republican David Campbell or Democrat Callie Sullivan wins on Tuesday, Darien will be good hands, as both would bring different, yet important skill sets to the first selectman’s office. Independent Chris Noe has brought some great ideas to the table this election and it would be great to see him earn more leadership with the Representative Town Meeting.

Mr. Campbell, whom we endorse for first selectman, broke from what has been the political norm the past few local elections in telling the Republican Town Committee that he and his running mates, Jayme Stevenson and Jerry Nielsen, were running for the Board of Selectmen with or without the RTC’s backing. In the past, we have watched the RTC search for a white knight to defeat First Selectman Evonne Klein, a Democrat, which has led to divisions within the party and petty politics. And Darien history will remember Mrs. Klein as one of the most progressive first selectmen — something the Gold Coast needed.

Mr. Campbell has proven to be above politics. While his opponent disagrees, his absence from Darien politics over the past years will likely prove to be beneficial. In a town where the lines in the sand are so clearly drawn among our town leaders — where one Board of Selectmen is criticized for bickering too much and the next told it gets along too well — someone from the outside is just what Darien needs.

Yet Mr. Campbell is not really from the outside. He is a lifelong resident. Most of his family lives here. He’s made it clear he loves this town. Not that his opponents don’t. But much of the attempted distraction of conflicts of interest and other wild charges thrown at Mr. Campbell come across as desperation more than valid concerns. Of course, someone who owns one of the biggest businesses in town and has been successful will have properties around town and various business interests. If we discounted anyone like that, it would be an even smaller pool from which to select leaders. It is a good thing Mr. Campbell is so invested in the town.

Yes, Mr. Campbell would come into office with a learning curve. But after six years of intense political battles at Town Hall, Darien could use a fresh perspective. We trust that he will continue many of the great initiatives that began the past six years.

Mrs. Klein has done a great job — despite having to contend with many officials who spent more time trying to defeat her agenda than focusing on what is best for Darien. She’s won three terms in office and it is quite possible she would have won a fourth. Downtown has flourished under her leadership and many initiatives that might not have seen the light of day otherwise, such as affordable housing, have been championed by Klein. And we expect Mrs. Sullivan and David Bayne, who has becoming quite the selectman in his own right, to continue to champion those causes.

However, maintaining the status quo is not enough. Part of the reason Klein won her first term in office is because the town was ready for a change.

We think David Campbell can bring that change to Darien. This week, at The Darien Times’ roundtable discussion with the candidates, he said he chose running mates Stevenson and Nielsen because they are “professional, nice, calm, thoughtful people who can get a lot done.”

We think that’s the perfect way to describe Campbell as well, and a good set of skills to build a good first selectman surrounded by four talented selectmen.