Camillo, Kelly Make Their Case For First Selectman Of Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — Incumbent Republican First Selectman Fred Camillo and Democratic challenger Bill Kelly squared-off in their first debate with each other ahead of the election on Nov. 2.

The debate was held by the League of Women Voters of Greenwich in-person at Town Hall, and streamed virtually via Zoom.

Camillo, who is looking for his second term as Greenwich's chief elected official along with his running mate, Selectperson Lauren Rabin, pointed to his record and accomplishments over his first term as reasons why voters should re-elect him.

Camillo mentioned navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving high vaccination rates; progressing towards the construction of a new Eastern Greenwich Civic Center and a Greenwich Emergency Medical Services station; making the town more pedestrian friendly; and establishing a blight ordinance, among other highlights.

"I humbly ask for your support so that Lauren and I can continue the work we started on Dec. 1, 2019 so Greenwich, the greatest town in this country, will become even more of a destination over the coming years," he said.

Kelly, a lawyer and a former Representative Town Meeting District Chair, Board of Education and Board of Estimate and Taxation member, billed himself as a career volunteer, not a career politician, who can collaborate with people.

"I was approached about this position and I was concerned about what was happening with the town," Kelly said. "I was concerned with respect to the rancor that exists in this town that should not have any place. I was hopeful that I could provide a bridge to bring people together to collaborate to come up with ideas and to solve problems."

Kelly said his focus if elected would be on capital spending for Greenwich Public Schools. He mentioned the state of the infrastructure around the district, and said the recent ceiling collapse at North Mianus School was "unacceptable" and "irresponsible."

"That can never happen again. We have to be proactive with the schools now. We have to make sure those schools are in good condition. We cannot put on these artificial constraints with respect to the BET and not fund these projects," Kelly said. "We have monitors on the exterior walls at Central Middle School, because the outer walls are moving... That's what we're faced with here in Greenwich."

Kelly told Camillo that schools should be at the top of his priority list in the capital budget.

"I think I’m doing what I think is best for the town. As somebody who went through public schools here and was a public school teacher, I value public education and they won't get shortchanged under my administration," Camillo said.

When asked about national politics descending upon Greenwich and how to bring the community together, Camillo spoke about his reputation as a lifelong public servant in Greenwich and later as a State Representative in Hartford where he worked with both Republicans and Democrats.

"You don't serve Democrats or Republicans, unaffiliated [voters] or Independents. you serve all the people. That's been my whole life," Camillo said, noting that he has had many public forums to listen to ideas and concerns about the town. "The only thing you have in your life is your word, and that's your bond. That will always continue."

In his 30 years in Greenwich, Kelly said he has never seen the rancor that exists now, especially between town boards and commissions like the BET and Board of Education.

"Mr. Camillo, what we really need is leadership. We need leadership from the Office of the First Selectman. We need leadership to say this rancor has to end. There's got to be trust between the Board of Education and the BET," said Kelly, referring to the handling and funding of certain school projects like the North Mianus ceiling collapse and repairs. "I worked on so many building committees, and the BET is not trusting the Board of Ed. That's why North Mianus, the money went back. This is festering, and if we don't fix this now, it's just going to get worse."

Camillo said the North Mianus ceiling repairs were funded.

"You were on the BET and the Board of Ed. for many years. Certainly this has been going on for a very long time. I know because I've been here and I've watched it. You lead by example, that's all you can do," Camillo said, noting that he often meets with BET leadership on both sides of the aisle to discuss issues.

"I can't control what goes on on social media; that's a national thing that has descended upon here. But I give everybody my word that I will continue to lead, even in the roughest of times and a 100 year pandemic," Camillo added. "We got this town, Republicans and Democrats alike, to have almost a 90 percent vaccination rate, which is a very hot and controversial topic. That, I think, is leadership."

The candidates perhaps separated themselves the most when it came to their views on public/private partnerships.

Such partnerships were cornerstones of Camillo's campaign in 2019; he recently announced a $5 million donation from an anonymous donor in town to help fund a new $21 million Eastern Greenwich Civic Center that will have naming rights. Camillo called the private donation is the largest ever in town, which Kelly questioned.

"I do not believe we should be issuing naming rights. That's a clear difference we have. I don't believe there should be Mr. X's Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. I don't believe there should be Mrs. Y's coffee shop. I think that leads to a lot of problems, and I don't think they should have naming rights on public buildings," Kelly said.

Camillo said, "If someone is willing to come forward with their hard-earned money to support our community, you bet I will support it, and I will continue to push for that as First Selectman."

Kelly pressed Camillo on if essential town facilities like fire stations will be subject to public/private partnerships and naming rights.

"We're not naming schools, we're not naming a fire house or a police station. We're talking about other facilities like a civic center. It's done all over the country, and it's not a problem at all. If you'd rather have the taxpayers fund $5-9 million that we're raising there, then that's another clear difference that you've laid out here tonight," Camillo said.

Camillo and Kelly will debate in the backcountry in conjunction with the Round Hill Association on Oct. 26, and at Greenwich High School on Oct. 29.