No challenge for top spot in Ridgefield
Robert Miller, Staff Writer
Updated 11:35 p.m., Friday, November 4, 2011
RIDGEFIELD -- Even in Connecticut, the Land
of Steady Habits, this town is the soul of political stability.
It votes on the top town officials only every four years, rather than every two years. And this year, when the Republicans had a chance to challenge First Selectman Rudy Marconi after his 12 years in office, they chose to pass.
Marconi is running unopposed, ensuring he'll be first selectman until at least 2015.
Nor did the Republicans even try to pick up a third seat on the Board of Selectmen. Instead, the four incumbents -- Democrats Di Masters and Barbara Manners and Republicans Andrew Bodnar and Maureen Kozlark -- are facing their only challenge from petitioning candidate Jan Rifkinson.
Rifkinson said he finds the lack of competition in town "pretty distressing.'' His candidacy, he said, offers the voters at least one choice in the selectmen's race.
"When you serve too long, the knife can get a little dull,'' he said of the incumbents.
Democratic Town Chairman Susan Cocco called Rifkinson a valid candidate.
"He's certainly on the ballot," she said. But Cocco then quickly praised Marconi and the four selectmen, Democrats and Republicans alike, saying they offer the town proven leadership. [...]
It votes on the top town officials only every four years, rather than every two years. And this year, when the Republicans had a chance to challenge First Selectman Rudy Marconi after his 12 years in office, they chose to pass.
Marconi is running unopposed, ensuring he'll be first selectman until at least 2015.
Nor did the Republicans even try to pick up a third seat on the Board of Selectmen. Instead, the four incumbents -- Democrats Di Masters and Barbara Manners and Republicans Andrew Bodnar and Maureen Kozlark -- are facing their only challenge from petitioning candidate Jan Rifkinson.
Rifkinson said he finds the lack of competition in town "pretty distressing.'' His candidacy, he said, offers the voters at least one choice in the selectmen's race.
"When you serve too long, the knife can get a little dull,'' he said of the incumbents.
Democratic Town Chairman Susan Cocco called Rifkinson a valid candidate.
"He's certainly on the ballot," she said. But Cocco then quickly praised Marconi and the four selectmen, Democrats and Republicans alike, saying they offer the town proven leadership. [...]
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