Himes Endorses Farricker for Greenwich First Selectman

As the Greenwich campaign swings into the final full week of campaigning, local Democrats are looking to fellow state and federal officials for support of their effort to unseat Republicans.

With a sun-dappled Greenwich Point Park as the backdrop, Democratic First Selectman candidate Frank Farricker enlisted the aid of fellow Greenwich Democrat U.S. Rep. Jim Himes who announced his endorsement of Farricker who’s seeking to unseat four-term Republican incumbent Peter Tesei.

Farricker said it was poignant to have his gathering of about 20 Democrats at the entrance to the 147-acre town park because that is where the town’s history began in the 1600s when Elizabeth Feake purchased the spit of land that is now considered the town’s premier park and usually referred to as Tod’s Point in honor of J. Kennedy Tod who established a country retreat there in the late 1800s.

Farricker said the town’s environment is a key issue he will address if he’s elected. “Greenwich has a lot of great things — the shoreline, clean water … of of these things should be maintained. It is a legacy that we need and it all starts here at Tod’s Point,” Farricker said. “We are fortunate to have Representative Himes who has been so supportive in federal efforts for dredging of our harbors, clean water and air.”

Farricker added, “ When we’re elected, all of our Democrats won’t forget the people of Old Greenwich and in Byram … they deserve not to live in fear of global warming and flooding. Democrats are committed to getting out and keeping the environment clean not just for us but for our kids and our kids’ kids.” He said the town needs to address its infrastructure. “For too many years it has been neglected. I will address it with direct investments.”

Himes said, “We believe in fairness and equal protection of our environment. We have been stewards of good government … We are the party of vision and good government and I support and endorse our slate of good candidates of Frank, (incumbent Selectman) Drew (Marzullo), (tax collector candidate) Howard (Richman) and the BET (Board of Estimate and Taxation).”

Himes added, “I have seen the incredible competence of the Democrats in Greenwich.”

Farricker is chair of the Democratic Town Committee, a position that Himes held for several years before ascending into federal politics, representing Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District.

Democrats will be calling on the support of Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman who’s scheduled to make a whistlestop at the Greenwich Senior Center on Tuesday at noon.

And then on Wednesday, Gov. Dannel Malloy is scheduled to be with the Democratic slate at the Greenwich train station on Railroad Avenue at 3 p.m.

Malloy is expected to discuss transportation, traffic and parking issues facing the region and specifically in Greenwich, according to Marzullo.

Marzullo said that he plans to seek financial support from the state for any local transportation infrastructure projects that can help alleviate traffic issues that plague the town that is bisected by three state roads — I-95, Route 1 and the Merritt Parkway.

“I will do whatever I can do to promote Greenwich … advocate for Greenwich for transportation money that Greenwich is due — our fair share of the money,” Marzullo said. “This will be an opportunity to revisit traffic and parking issues in Greenwich.”

Photos: U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and Democratic First Selectman candidate Frank Farricker, and supporters at Greenwich Point Park on Monday, Oct. 26. Credit: Barbara Heins.