Aug 15, 2007
2007 town election
Jim Maggio is on the ballot
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by PATRICIA GAY
Throw another hat in the ring. Weston’s ballot for the November election just got a little more crowded.
Voters will now be able to choose from among three candidates for selectman.
On Aug. 6, James Maggio of High Noon Road filed a petition with the town clerk’s office qualifying him to run as a petitioning candidate for selectman.
Town Clerk Donna Anastasia confirmed the petition was valid with the signatures of 21 qualified electors.
That means Dr. Maggio will square off against incumbent Glenn Major, a Republican, and Democrat Steve Ezzes for the selectman’s seat.
Dr. Maggio is well-known in the community for his attendance and participation at selectmen’s meetings and public hearings, for his dogged research into planning and zoning issues, and for letters he writes to the editor of The Weston Forum.
He is often critical of town government and what he perceives as unfair treatment towards individuals.
Dr. Maggio was out of the country this week and could not be reached for comment, but several people who signed his petition had words of support for his candidacy.
Good attributes
Keith Brooks of Codfish Lane believes Dr. Maggio has attributes that will make him a good selectman.
“He is professional — a dentist by trade. He has a very nice family and is a good family man. He also is a very helpful and good neighbor,” Mr. Brooks said.
When it comes to issues, Mr. Brooks said Dr. Maggio is interested in keeping taxes down, especially for Weston’s senior citizens. “He has developed an interest in the seniors in Weston and giving them some tax relief. Even though there is a tax policy in place, it just isn’t enough,” Mr. Brooks said.
Hal Mathews of Treadwell Lane respects Dr. Maggio’s willingness to take a position on tough issues. “He’s not afraid to stand up and be counted, and that earns my respect whether I agree with him or not,” Mr. Mathews said.
Stuart Tobin of Ridge Road called Dr. Maggio a “man of great honesty, strength, and integrity.”
Mr. Tobin said, “I think Jim is an incredibly intelligent, hardworking and dedicated citizen of this town. His conviction to getting at the truth is unwavering.”
Mr. Tobin also believes having an additional candidate in the selectman’s race is a benefit for the town. “I think it’s wonderful he’s on the ballot, we have more competition. There were no contested elections last time,” Mr. Tobin said.
Selectman’s slot
As things currently stand, on the November ballot there will be two candidates for first selectman — Woody Bliss, the incumbent Republican, and Gayle Weinstein, the Democratic challenger. The winner of that contest will become the first selectman.
For selectman, the choice will be among Mr. Major, Mr. Ezzes, and Dr. Maggio. The person with the most votes in that contest will win a selectman’s seat.
The remaining selectman’s seat, often referred to as “the third selectman,” will go to whomever gets the most votes among the losing first selectman’s candidate and the two losing selectmen candidates.
Mr. Major, who has often been a target of Dr. Maggio’s criticism, said he welcomes Dr. Maggio to the selectman’s race.
“This is a political system, and I am happy to have Dr. Maggio in the race. I hope it will help clarify many issues that have been raised over the past few years. It should allow for a more two-sided discussion,” he said.
Mr. Ezzes said he does not know Dr. Maggio personally, but he, too, welcomes him to the race. “I hope he has some good ideas to change Weston,” Mr. Ezzes said.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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