Despite being the odd man out at a closed-door meeting where his fellow Republicans endorsed someone else, George Temple says he’ll walk in with confidence — and about 100 votes — to the Oxford Republican caucus tonight (Tuesday, July 19).
Temple, an attorney, wants the Republican endorsement to run for First Selectman.
Last Thursday, members of the Oxford Republican Town Committee got together in a closed meeting to discuss their slate. They walked out endorsing David Yish and Lila Ferillo for First Selectman and Selectmen.
Yish and Ferillo had never announced they wanted to run prior to last Thursday’s meeting.
Temple said last week’s meeting was only open to members of the town committee, of which Temple is not a member. There are 20 elected members and up to 15 alternates, according to the committee’s bylaws.
Temple felt the process wasn’t transparent — as evidenced by the fact it wasn’t even held in a public building or gathering spot.
“It’s past, it’s done, I just didn’t like the way it was done,” Temple said.
Temple said a goal in Oxford politics is to “let the sunshine in.”
“I would like to think that Democrats and Republicans and the rest of Oxford can operate in the sunshine. Believe me, that’s the way I will do things. I want people to know what’s going on. The first thing I’ll do when I’m elected is to take the door off the office.”
Tanya Carver, screening committee chairman for the Republican party, said Thursday’s meeting had been announced in advance.
The special meeting was requested by party members who wanted an advance discussion of the slate before tonight’s caucus.
Tonight’s caucus is set for 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
She did not agree with Temple’s view of the meeting as being exclusionary.
“It should not have been a surprise to anyone,” she said.
The proposed slate of candidates from the Oxford Republican Town Committee, in addition to Yish and Ferrillo:
Tax Collector: Sharon Scinto
Town Treasurer: Michael Angelini, Sr
Board of Finance: Victor Girardi, Joe Rasberry
Board of Education: Gerard Carbonaro, John Lavin, Rose McKinnon, Ed Spruck, Jr.
Board of Assessment of Appeals: Dana Flach.
Planning & Zoning Commission: Tanya Carver, Jeff Luff, Wayne Watt.
