Brookfield GOP Unanimously Backs Tinsley for 2nd Term

Written by Matt Grimes

To the thunderous applause of over 100 Brookfield Republicans in Brookfield High School’s auditorium, Brookfield First Selectman Bill Tinsley accepted the crowd’s endorsement for a second term. The caucus took place Wednesday, July 22nd at 7:30 PM.

Touting Brookfield’s achievement as leading the area in grand list growth, Tinsley cited the commercial and residential development of the Four Corners, the Charter Revision to permanently bifurcate Brookfield’s budget, and delivering no tax increase this year as among the measured successes of his first term.

“I do not want to be a First Selectman who had the chance to make a difference and let opportunity pass Brookfield by. I want to be part of a generation who left Brookfield a legacy to achieve the very best it could,” Tinsley said during his acceptance speech, which included a slide show of Brookfield under his leadership over the last two years.

Referencing Brookfield’s diverse demographics and the efforts of the Boards of Finance and Selectmen to control taxes and spending on the local level as Connecticut’s economy struggles, Tinsley stated, “It is to every Brookfield resident and family that works and saves and once in a while comes up a little short at the end of the month that this administration, and this Brookfield Republican Party, are dedicated to. Let us build a better community so that decades from now, people will say of Brookfield in 2015 that we kept the faith that we relied on a community whose citizens and volunteers were our greatest asset, and that we fixed Brookfield and set it on a positive course for generations to come.”

Also nominated for reelection were Tinsley’s running mate, Selectman Marty Flynn, and veteran Town Clerk Joan Locke. Former Board of Finance Chairman Jerry Friedrich was endorsed for Town Treasurer to replace David Scribner, who is retiring after 20 years in office.

Nominations for the Tinsley-Flynn ticket were delivered by State Rep. Steve Harding (R-107th) and former Selectman George Walker. The GOP under-ticket includes: Board of Finance: Incumbent Chairman Phillip Kurtz and Greg DembowksiBoard of Education: Bob Belden, Mark Mulvaney, Jeff Rossi, and Eve Sturdevant, Board of Education (2-year term): Ann Marie Cordisco, Board of Assessment Appeals: Rose De Marco, Board of Assessment Appeals (2-year term): Stanley Parker, Planning Commission: Incumbent Dave Frankel, Zoning Commission: Incumbent Vice Chairman Matt Grimes, Zoning Board of Appeals: Incumbent Larry Ruschmeyer.

Patch file photo