Deciphering the Republican primary ballot

How do you choose up to six of twelve candidates running for the powerful Greenwich finance board (BET) in the Republican primary running from Sep 2 - 7 for early voting leading to election day on Sep 9. The BET is important. It determines the mill rate i.e. your property taxes. The Greenwich Sentinel provided some very helpful insights.

On the sample ballot here, you will see on line A, the official party-endorsed slate of six candidates: incumbents David Alfano, Nisha Arora, Harry Fisher and Lucia Jensen, along with newcomers Sally Bednar and Joe Pellegrino. On line B, are those who petitioned to be included on the ballot by getting enough signatures (about 550). These six petitioning candidates have complicated matters. See full list here.

Turns out the Republican party elected leaders - First Selectman Fred Camillo and Selectwoman Lauren Rabin - have their own favorites. They include party-endorsed Sally Bednar, Harry Fisher (incumbent), and Joe Pellegrino with the addition of Josh Brown, Joe Kelly and Leslie Tarkington (incumbent) to their preferred six-member slate. Why? They believe this slate is more electable and will operate on a more bi-partisan basis.

The other slate consists of party-endorsed David Alfano, Nisha Arora and Lucia Jansen who currently serve on the BET. They have added Alessandra Brus, Phil Dodson and John Hopley to their six-member slate. They call themselves "outsiders" and "independent thinkers." They do not believe in being too friendly with the Democrats, according to the Greenwich Sentinel.

Between the Lines: How do you figure this out if you want good roads and schools but feel your property taxes (mill rate) are rising too much. Do you get a knot in your stomach knowing the revaluation notice will hit your mailbox in a few months?

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