Greenwich Election 2021: William Kelly For First Selectman

GREENWICH, CT — Election Day on Nov. 2 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Greenwich.

Patch reached out to candidates for local office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the town.

Democrat William Kelly, 69, is running for First Selectman in Greenwich.

Occupation: Attorney - Gerber, Ciano, Kelly, Brady

Family: Barbara, married 40 years; Elizabeth Zaccherio, attorney, married, lives in Riverside - two daughters, 6 and 4 with one in first grade at North Mianus; Dr. Kristen Kelly, married, Chief Resident, Emergency Dept., Mt. Sinai, NYC; Both graduated GHS and Kristen, President Class '2005

Experience: RTM, Chair, District 6; (1994-99); Board of Education, (1999-2007); Board of Estimate & Taxation, and (2007-2011); Claims Committee (1994-1999); Appointed to three member Committee to investigate Fire Dept. response to fatality on Merritt Parkway; Appointed to six school building committees

Family in government: no

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I am not a career politician. Ever since I moved to Greenwich I have volunteered as noted above. At the same time I have run a legal practice with a focus on litigation. I have served as a managing attorney; equity partner and now as a founder. I have led and managed in both the private and public sector. My trial skills allow me to be both collaborative and creative in the face of unforeseen developments.

Accomplishments:

1. My two daughters are and will always be my wife Barbara and my finest accomplishment.
2. After my three year term as President of Rocky Point Club governing a club of 225 families I was asked to serve another two years.
3. Using my seven page letter to the State as a template, a coalition was formed and we were able to prevent four 300 foot barges from parking in front of Tod's Point in 2019 (Stamford Advocate 10/12/19).
4. Investigation of Greenwich Fire Department including interviewing 15 firefighters resulting from a fatality on Merritt Parkway and being awarded a commendation by the First Selectman.
5. Appointed to Claims Committee which oversees Town of Greenwich litigation and being reappointed twice as we saved the Town millions of dollars over my six year tenure.
6. Drafting and passing a Sense of the Meeting Resolution in the RTM establishing that "status quo" will not be acceptable with respect to the priority of access to ballfields but rather children have first priority. (1/21/98).
7. Initiated effort on BOE to eliminate gatekeeping for AP tests and increased tests given from 400 in 1999 to 2,200 in 2021 with minor drop in average scores.

Other issues:

We have a wonderful diverse Town with an amazing corps of volunteers assisting in Town government. When I served on the RTM, BOE and BET both parties got along and focused on what was best for Greenwich. With the present tone and rancor it's clear we have lost our way and we need to get back to a collaborative cohesive government that values all opinions and insights and works for Greenwich.

No one trusts anyone anymore and there is nothing more destructive, especially with a municipal government. Janet Stone McGuigan and I are experienced, knowledgeable and prepared to take on the challenges of governing.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

Thank you for this opportunity but I don't think anything further is necessary as I clearly have said enough especially for anyone who has read this far.

- Bill