Town resident Scott Gress, a Republican, is seeking election to the Town Council, New Canaan’s legislative body. The GOP holds an 8-4 majority on the 12-member elected body. Six seats are up for election: four currently held by Republicans, two by Democrats. There are five Republicans and four Democrats running for Town Council.
Here’s our exchange with Gress.
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New Canaanite: Please give us some background on you, including your history in New Canaan and your involvement with community organizations and/or local government.
Scott Gress: I grew up in New Canaan. I attended West Elementary, Saxe Middle and New Canaan High Schools. After college and almost 11 years in Manhattan my wife Susan and I bought an antique home in the Silvermine area of New Canaan. We have raised three boys here all of whom attended the New Canaan Public Schools, college and are living in Manhattan.
My involvement with the Town of New Canaan began not long after moving back. I have served as chairman of the Youth Commission, chairman of Park and Recreation Commission, eight years on the Board of Education, two as vice chairman. I was invited to join the Waveny Park Conservancy and headed up fundraising for the first three years of the Conservancy’s existence and I am a founding member of the God’s Acre Christmas Caroling Foundation.
I have been involved with the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club in the Bronx, N.Y. and have served on their Board of Trustees for over 25 years and as vice president and secretary for the past 10.
I am President of Ehrlich, Gress & Co, a textile sales company located in New Canaan.
The Town Council is soon to kickstart the Charter revision process. What changes, if any, would you like to see to New Canaan’s main governing document?
I think the Charter revision is a healthy process and should look at what works and what can be improved. One item, as we are currently seeing, is the number of candidates a party puts up for election should not exceed the number of spots available to that party. This creates chaos and confusion. It obviates the Caucus process and overturns the voice of the voters. That said, I do believe in the general election you should be able to cast the same number of votes as there are openings.
I would also like to see the Charter revision look at the budget process and its order. Currently the Board of Finance adjusts the budget before passing it to the Town Council which can only cut it further but cannot add funds back. This procedure seems to empower an appointed Board over an elected Council.
Where do you stand on the proposed seasonal ban on leaf blowers?
I am sure there is room for a compromise if we look at the various zones, seasons and hours of operation, as well as who is operating the equipment. Do the rules need to be the same for four acre zones as in town? Do the rules need to be the same in mid-summer as mid -fall when the leaves are falling? Should the rules be the same for a property owner as a landscaper? Once we look at issues like these, I can’t help but to think a compromise is reachable.
What is one change or new initiative that you would like to see through as a Town Council member, if there is one?
There are a number of key issues that will be challenging New Canaan in the coming years all of which will take careful due diligence and transparent deliberation. Issues like an additional elementary school, affordable housing and a rising tax burden are priorities.
To what extent, if at all, will your party’s national agenda affect your decision-making at the local level?
The national agenda has very little to do with our local issues and decisions. New Canaan is a truly great place to raise a family, and we don’t suffer from many of the Nation’s political issues.
It’s been just over one year since The Playhouse reopened following an extensive renovation that went over budget. How do you rate the success of New Canaan’s partnership with CinemaLab, the movie theater’s operator?
Having a vibrant downtown is vital to the survival and flavor of New Canaan. The Playhouse is one of the key centerpieces of our downtown. Are there lessons to be learned from the cost overruns? Of course. That said, the experience at the Playhouse is a dramatic improvement and given the myriad options of streaming, these improvements are needed to compete. The Playhouse, like the Steve Benko Pool and the Waveny Park Conservancy, is a public-private partnership. All of these types of endeavors are a wonderful way to accomplish a great deal and share the burden between the taxpayer and interested and philanthropic people.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
I am an avid golfer, skier and Paddle player and love to cook. I was a founding member and captain of the New Canaan High School ski team—a long time ago!
Wow Scott TC adding funding back
That the Board of Finance cut
Why don’t we just get rid of them
Who needs them right
What a power grab
Hi Richard,
I am not suggesting a power grab (especially as I currently have no power), just that, through the charter review, we look how much “power” is in the hands of elected and how much is in the hands of the appointed. If, after review, it is deemed appropriate then we can keep it the way it is currently.
Scott
Hi Scott –
As one of many people following the leaf blower issue closely, I wanted to say that “I am sure there is room for a compromise” expresses my view perfectly. Thanks for putting it that way.
Scott, It’s always good to give voters choices so thanks for running. I wanted to address your comment “the number of candidates a party puts up for election should not exceed the number of spots available to that party. This creates chaos and confusion.” Ballot access laws across our nation outline a process for individuals to run for office. The history of our democracy is based on voters being able to elect their representatives. Remember King George? Primary challenges are built into our laws upheld by our Constitution. In my case, with a slate of 4 candidates pooling their funds, resources and with special help from seasoned Republican operatives working against me, I received 9 votes less than a 28 year incumbent, who was unable to attend the caucus. As an incumbent in excellent standing myself, and being urged by supporters, I decided to pursue a Primary Petition to gain ballot access to be on the Republican line as a Republican in November. My team succeeeded and we collected 306 signatures of Registered Republicans – all verified by our Registrar of Voters. So according to CT State Statute, and our Secretary of State, I am a nominated and endorsed Republican candidate who will appear on the ballot on the same Republican line as you. Our own Town Charter was changed by said 28 year incumbent to allow New Canaanites to vote for up to 6 candidates, which allows each party to endorse 6 candidates. As far as the chaos and confusion go, I offered to run with the slate of 4, including you, but your group refused. I offered my election participation, resources and assistance to the Republican Town Committee and was turned away by a 51 percent margin in a secret voting process. So let’s be clear on who bears any responsiblity for any confusion. Being a Town Council member starts with respecting the laws of the Town and the State of CT, so you might want to brush up on your understanding of the Town Charter, CT State Law and the U.S. Constitution. Here’s an article that goes into more detail on the actual vote tallies at the July caucus and may answer some more questions for voters – transparency is key here: https://patch.com/connecticut/newcanaan/town-council-mber-penny-young-barely-wins-caucus-only-wins-9-votes-nodx
Hi Kim,
As I see it the responsibility for this Chaos is, exactly as you point out, the Town Charter’s allowance of New Canaanites to vote for up to 6 candidates. I do respect the laws and the Town, CT State and the US, which is why I am suggesting we look at this issue in the upcoming Charter review. If the GOP was only allowed by the Town’s charter to put up the four candidates that were chosen at the caucus, we wouldn’t have the chaos we now have. I am not trying to change the current situation just prevent it from happening again. And for the record while a “seasoned” resident I never knew King George.
The Caucus is not representative of the wishes of the electorate. Only 300 R’s showed up, many town hall insiders seeking control. The R caucus is held during the summer when many voters are away, only allows a 3 hour voting window and is held at one small venue. Many have business and commitments outside New Canaan. Additionally the 5500 independent registered voters cannot vote. 200 R votes should not determine who runs to represent us on the legislative branch.
In vote the current R petitioning candidate Kim Norton received the support of 304 Registered R’s in a one week process. 50% more than the highest R Caucus getting. New Canaanites deserve more than a 3 hr mid summer caucus.
That said the Town Democrats have no caucus and just ram candidates down our throat decided by a few on the Democratic Town Committee.
Both methodologies in my analysis are in direct conflict and obstruct the Constitutional Right to vote.
As far as allowing the TC to increase spending and have the final budget determination please inform me who on the Town Council has financial expertise.
The Board of Finance should be elected so it is not subject to Executive Branch pressure as the BOS appoint the BOF.
I don’t know why Kim Norton’s supporters are pointing to the petition and comparing a legally required minimum figure to the Caucus tally. It’s like saying Pete Rose is the “real” all-time home run king because he had more career hits than Barry Bonds. You’re not making sense. If you want to say that she exceeded the required figure (252 signatures) that’s fine, but leave it there. Don’t tell us black is white. If getting signatures in August from registered Republicans was how elections were decided then we’d have candidates with pulled hamstrings, shin splints and dehydration sickness (which would be super fun to watch). Anyway, it makes sense to get far more signatures than required because some of them get thrown out in the vetting process.
I disagree. Point is shows support amongst R voters who could not make the caucus. Additionally the point is the caucus process is flawed. Caucus winners should not morally block a certified petitioning candidate. Are the caucus winners scared of a fair overall election in November. It is not about Kim Norton or support.
In all respect Mike your analysis is apples and oranges.
Thank you
Aaaand this thread is closed.
Over the past eight years, the New Canaan Board of Finance has consistently delivered strong fiscal results for taxpayers even amid challenging economic conditions. Their stewardship lead by Todd Lavieri has resulted in annual budget surpluses and helped keep tax increases to a modest average of just 2.3% per year. That kind of disciplined financial management deserves recognition and continued trust.
For this reason, I am deeply concerned about any proposal that would shift final budget authority to the Town Council. While the Council plays an important role, introducing additional political dynamics into the budgeting process risks turning our town’s finances into a partisan battleground. The Board of Finance has proven itself to be a steady, nonpartisan guardian of taxpayer interests. Let’s not jeopardize that.