Civility benefit to Griswold

Philip E. Anthony Jr. has accomplished enough as Griswold first selectman to deserve a second two-year term.

The 57-year-old Democrat is the owner of Anthony's Ace Hardware in Jewett City. He inherited a Town Hall convulsed by acrimony and has successfully reintroduced civility. This is an accessible first selectman and a familiar presence at town functions.

Under Mr. Anthony's leadership the town is moving forward with badly needed road improvements. By the first selectman's account, the town has upgraded and, where necessary, made drainage improvements to about three dozen roads. But poor road and bridge conditions and other infrastructure deficiencies remain a challenge for the town.

Commercial development has lagged in the town, but this is more the product of the deep recession than a lack of effort and planning. And Mr. Anthony's effort to secure funding to extend utilities up Route 201 to Exit 86 of Interstate 395 holds the potential for commercial and industrial development there. Town Hall continuity will help economic development efforts.

Mr. Anthony faces a worthy opponent in Republican candidate Theresa I. Madonna, 52, a local attorney. Her priorities are the right ones: Encouraging economic development to broaden the tax base and provide relief to homeowners; cooperation with the Board of Education to assure a quality school system; and searching for creative ways to stretch a dollar, including regional bulk purchasing and shared services.

If fortunate enough to get enough voters, Ms. Madonna would be a welcomed addition to the Board of Selectmen.

Also running as a petitioning candidate is Ed Berdick.