Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Fire Department officials at about 11:15 a.m. on Monday responded to a request from Officer Allyson Halm—head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section—to assist in corralling a baby deer that had become trapped in a backyard on Millport Avenue. Halm said the firefighters were highly responsive and helpful, and the animal was freed. ***

The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved a contract between the Parks Department and Karl Chevrolet for two trucks: a new low-boy that will cost a net of $50,644 and a new pickup truck that will cost $41,670. Those costs reflect what officials called generous trade-in price discounts from the local dealership. “I think the Karls are being very nice to us,” First Selectman Rob Mallozzi said.

News

Letter: Christa Kenin Has the Right Work Ethic, Temperament for Selectman

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I am writing in support of the candidacy of Christa Kenin for selectman. Christa is a very bright and energetic person who really gets things done. She has garnered great praise as a talented, dynamic, and hard-working member of Town Council. I was pleased to have significant first-hand experience with her ability when the Charter Revision Commission presented its draft report to the Town Council for their consideration. As a Town Council member, Christa really took her responsibility very seriously, dug into the whole report, and did a lot of high-quality homework of her own, reviewing our proposals and challenging our conclusions.

Government

RTC Announces Two Republican Debates Ahead of July 18 Caucus; First One Next Week

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The New Canaan Republican Town Committee on Monday announced that the organization is sponsoring a pair of debates ahead of the party’s July 18 caucus—a widely anticipated day that will see candidates in three contested races seek party backing. Featuring all Republican candidates running in contested races for town government, the first debate is to be held at 7 p.m. next Tuesday, June 27 in the large meeting room at Town Hall, the RTC said in a press release. The second will be held July 12, also at Town Hall. Those running include:

First Selectman

Cristina A. Ross
Rob Mallozzi
Kevin Moynihan

Selectman

Christa Kenin
Nick Williams

Town Council (four seats open)

Roy Abramowitz
Tom Butterworth
John Engel
Mike Mauro
Richard Townsend
Penny Young

NewCanaanite.com and the New Canaan Advertiser are supporting the RTC debates. The debates will be broadcast by NCTV Channel 79, according to the RTC.

Government

Republican Cristina A. Ross Enters New Canaan First Selectman Race

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A third Republican on Monday threw her hat into the ring in what has become a highly competitive race to secure party backing for the town’s highest elected position. Cristina A. Ross, a New Canaan resident for 26 years, professional architect and Town Council member for two years who had spent 10 years on the Parks & Recreation Commission, announced her candidacy for first selectman during a press event at Town Hall. Saying her priority would be “strengthening the New Canaan community by establishing a framework for the delivery of services with full accountability and transparency as a method of doing business,” Ross said in a prepared statement that she would focus on boosting property sales by decking the parking lots at the Lumberyard and Talmadge Hill, controlling tax increases, bringing in natural gas and improving communications within town government. Asked about the last point specifically, Ross told NewCanaanite.com: “There is a lack of communication between the Board of Selectmen and town departments, whether that is the Town Council or P&Z and that has been voiced on different occasions by different people, that we are not included in some of the goals set and we hear about it when the time comes to vote on it and the decision is already made. Not being able to raise a voice and a concern and suggest alternatives is a detriment to the function of being a public official.”

She joins two fellow Republicans in seeking party backing at the July 18 caucus: First Selectman Rob Mallozzi announced in March that he will seek a fourth term in the office, and fellow town councilman Kevin Moyhihan on May 30 announced that he was running for first selectman.

Government

Christa Kenin Announces Candidacy for Selectman, Widening Republican Pool

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Christa Kenin, a Republican who has served for two years on the Town Council, on Thursday afternoon announced her candidacy for the position of selectman. A former president of the Newcomers Club who also has served on the West School PTC, Kenin is an attorney by profession who said she represents transparency, innovation and hard work. In a statement issued to the local press, Kenin said some of her priorities are to “address our commuter parking shortage, create more comprehensive cell service in a sensible manner and keep our downtown vibrant.”

“I’ve studied up,” she said. “I’ve thoughtfully observed. I’ve listened to people both inside and outside of our local government.”

Kenin listed the subcommittees she’s worked on as a councilman and said she’s attended other meetings of municipal boards and commissions.