Maybe it wasn’t the most contentious race in the area, but Seymour’s local election turned out to be the only overturn of political power in the Valley this election season, landing the story on our top 10 list for 2009.
Democrat Paul Roy defeated long-time First Selectman Robert J. Koskelowski for the top seat.
The overturn didn’t stop with the First Selectman’s position.
Several other boards and commissions in Seymour, including the Board of Selectmen, also turned blue on election day after several Democratic candidates won seats over Republican incumbents.
One of the top issues Roy’s campaign pushed was the empty Tri-Town Plaza shopping center, and a fight between the town and landlord Ron Spector of Nevada.
But Koskelowski attributed the loss to low-voter turnout and said he would help Roy with the transition.
It’s during that transition that the story became even more interesting.
Before leaving office, Koskelowski won approval from the Board of Selectmen to continue his life insurance policy.
It’s the first time any out-going First Selectman has asked for the benefit, and the arrangement is for Koskelowski to pay into the plan himself.
On the incoming front, Roy has already faced some challenges only two months into his tenure.
He got caught up in a debate over his attempt to convince Board of Education members to vote for a chairman of his choice.
And some have questioned his pick for town counsel.
Meanwhile, come Jan. 1, Koskelowski said he will be first in line to see what opens up in the Tri-Town Plaza (see video, 00:56, below).
