Town Democrats Gear Up for First Selectman Race
First Selectman Sue Dyer, a Democrat, has announced that she will not seek re-election this fall. She is currently serving her ninth term, having first been elected in 1999.
Leo Colwell, a longtime selectman, declared his candidacy late last year, and, at a Democratic Town Committee meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16, Matt Riiska threw his hat into the ring as well.
Riiska, who served on the Board of Finance for many years, challenged Dyer in 2015 as an unaffiliated candidate, losing narrowly. This time he intends to run as a Democrat.
The Democratic Town Committee, which sets the Democratic slate for upcoming elections, will invite both men to participate in a public forum in June, according to the committee’s chairman, June Peterson. At its annual caucus in July, which all registered Norfolk Democrats can attend, the committee will hold a vote to decide between the candidates.
The Republican Town Committee, according to committee member Phylis Bernard, has yet to field a candidate for first selectman.
Matt and Leo are both good candidates, with a lot of experience in Norfolk governance. If I were still living there, I would make sure to attend the Democratic caucus to hear their suggestions on how to deal with the shrinking school population and growing school cost, the absence of a Resident Trooper, and the maintenance of our infrastructure. For example, do they see any possibilities of sharing with our neighboring towns?
These are both great guys, but we should be looking for creativity and leadership potential.
Warmest greetings from the Upper West Side to Sue Dyer and all our Norfolk friends.
Bob Bumcrot