Madonna in Griswold

There have certainly been positive aspects to Philip E. Anthony Jr.'s four years as first selectman of Griswold. During his leadership and working with the Board of Finance, the administration has made the tough choices to hold down spending and keep the tax rate steady, as demanded by voters in multiple referenda.

We applauded the Democratic first selectman's strong support that led to the town joining the regional Uncas Health District. The town is pursuing plans for a beautification project along Main Street in the Borough of Jewett City. Grants were secured to install solar panels on municipal buildings.

But there are also reasons for concern. When running for office in 2007, Mr. Anthony assured voters his attention would turn to the full-time job of first selectman, with responsibility for his successful hardware store business on Main Street passing on to other family members. Yet Mr. Anthony is at the hardware store almost daily.

Mr. Anthony says he takes his lunch there, so as not to detract from his Town Hall work, and often hears from constituents while there. Critics also point to his typical late arrival at his first selectman's office in the morning - around 10:30 a.m. Mr. Anthony explains he gets town work done at home before leaving.

This all may be true, but perception matters a lot in politics, and it appears the perception among many is that Mr. Anthony is not a full-time first selectman. Morale among the workforce at Town Hall does not appear good, a product in part to opinions that the first selectman is not fully invested. There have been personnel problems. Recent disclosures of $1.7 million in bookkeeping errors, while not the direct fault of Mr. Anthony (he does not keep the books), contribute to a perception that his Town Hall is not a tight ship.

We feel the town could benefit from the fresh perspective that Selectwoman Theresa I. Madonna could provide. The

Republican candidate for the top post strikes us as a consensus builder. An attorney, she appears in a better position to wind down her practice and provide full attention to first-selectman duties.

She plans to change the culture of Town Hall by empowering the workers there, "not micromanaging through the first selectman's office." Her eight years of service as a Board of Education member bodes well for school and municipal government relations. Ms. Madonna is open to regional initiatives and learning from other communities.

Also running as a petitioning candidate is the town's building official, Peter M. Zvingilas. While Mr. Zvingilas has good ideas - including floating a $10 million bond package to get deplorable roads back in shape - Ms. Madonna is the better choice for improving the tenor of town government.

The Day endorses Theresa I. Madonna in the Griswold first selectman's race.