Simmons Makes Case For McAnanly

Republican Selectwoman Glee McAnanly, 49, announced her candidacy for First Selectman against Democrat Edward Haberek Jr. Thursday, but before she made it formal, former Sen. Rob Simmons, who introduced her, listed specific reasons why Haberek must go.

Simmons accused him of being “short on his many promises.”

“And I believe it’s time for a change,” Simmons said.

Simmons blamed Haberek for Yardney’s decision to leave the state. The battery manufacturer on Mechanic Street that had, Simmons said, employed more than 150.

“A major employer in Pawcatuck, just a few blocks from his home ... moved out of Stonington to Rhode Island and took 150 jobs with it,” he said.

Another of his complaints included an accusation that Haberek had interfered with town employees “doing their jobs,” namely a wetlands enforcement officer and a police officer attempting to serve a violation on a resident. Haberek intervened, Simmons said.

“Has no right to interfere with a police officer,” Simmons said.

And Simmons said Haberek has “taken credit” for holding the line on government spending without giving credit to McAnanly or Finance Commission members Glenn Frishman and Dudley Wheeler. “Taking the credit is not being a team player,” he said.

“We need a person of character. We can do better,” Simmons said.

McAnanly said she too believed that, “We can do better.”

“We can do great things,” she said.

“I have a great understanding of the role of first selectman,” she said. Adding she could do the job “well and with integrity.”