Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • 25

2nd ED. 2 THE HARTFORD COURANT R3 n)DSTrL mmmmmmx plainville torrington winsted WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1981 B5 McNamara Worries Way to Third Term Republican Challenger, Kozlowski, Comes Within 378 Votes Deafening applause at Republican headquarters broke out as. he added, "next time I run During the evening, Kozlowski was visibly nervous as he and his wife tallied the district counts. "I'm worried about that damn third (district)," the candidate kept whispering. Republicans are outnumbered there.

State Sen. Nancy Johnson, R-New Britain, on hand at Republican headquarters Tuesday, joined other Republicans in blaming some voters' propensity to pull the party lever for the close vote. Kozlowski, too, attributed defeat in part to that. But, he was also philosophical: "We worked hard. It's either the people want us or they don't," he had said earlier in the day.

"If we lose, the people of this city lose," Kozlowski had said. NEW BRITAIN Democratic incumbent Mayor William J. McNamara, worrying aloud as results came in Tuesday night, won a third term by a too-close-for-comfort unofficial margin of 378 votes over Republican challenger Michael T. Kozlowski. Unofficial results gave the 46-year--old mayor 9,917 votes to Kozlowski's 9,539 but Kozlowski, 27, won six of the city's 16 districts.

Broad Street restaurateur Joseph Pac, running for mayor for the Joe Pac Party, drew 115 votes, while Independent Party candidate Louis Marietta received 154 votes. Scowls marked the faces of McNa-mara's supporters at the Haller Post III as early election results had the mayor and Kozlowski running neck and neck. McNamara candidly mitted just before 8:30 p.m. that, "It's too close; things are not going well." McNamara was upset by the closeness of the vote. "I'm disappointed it's not a better victory," he told a crowd of cheering supporters.

"I'm offering an invitation to all the other people who voted for the other team to tell me what I can do to make New Britain a better place," he said. Later, McNamara said he hoped "personal dislikes" within the Democratic Party and "political factionalism" had not produced the tight race. Voter turnout totaled 20,404 Tuesday or 56 percent of those eligible to vote. That compares with a 58.7 percent turnout two years ago in the municipal election. McNamara, alternately telling his supporters at the Haller Post to be cautious and then trying to boost their morale, said he did not know why Kozlowski was making a solid showing in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans by 25,004 to 7,627.

"The history of New Britain has been never to elect a Democrat for a third term," the mayor said. He admitted he did not do as well as expected in many of the districts. The mayor's spirits were up, despite last-minute worries. He donned a gray fur-like donkey suit and pranced around the hall's stage as Chubby Clark's band played the appropriate tunes among them, "McNamara's Band." Kozlowski, a bank administrator, conceded defeat at about 9:05 p.m. "We were up against one of the toughest machines in the state.

But we can't roll over and die," Kozlowski yelled to his supporters. COURANT PHOTO BY MICHAEL McANDREWS Mayor William J. McNamara indicates the small margin by which was leading as election returns filter in at his headquarters. Some Democrats, Citing Winners Plymouth Buell Glowa Dubnanski Houle Deschane Koehler Thomaston Republicans Harwinton Shanley Wolcott Fish King Pulaski knew she would be against Democratic Mayor William J. McNamara from the start.

She said she worked for state Rep. William P. Can-delori, who lost the Sept. 8 primary to McNamara. "I've never seen the city in the state that it's in now," the woman said "corruption, no police protection, taxes.

But staunch Democrats Tuesday stuck by their man, McNamara. Many of his solid supporters Tuesday defended him against charges that he knew more about city corruption than he'll admit and that he should be blamed for a 32 percent tax increase over the past four years. "I hate to see anyone get a bad rap. I think they are trying to pin it (corruption) on him everything that's wrong in the city and I don't think he was involved," one Democrat voting in New Britain High School said. "This squawk about crime prevention," another McNamara advocate said, "tell me this, how are you going to get more cops on the force and not raise taxes?" Although McNamara had been pick- .1 By LYNDA V.E.

CRAWFORD and DIANE LEVICK Courant Staff Writers NEW BRITAIN Some disgusted with what they call I "city corruption, high taxes and lack of police protection," voted for GOP mayoral candidate Michael Koz-I lowski, an informal Courant survey of polling places showed Tuesday. The Election Day survey also indicated that Republicans, who have Democratic over the years, came back to the fold, pulling the GOP lever. I Ticket-splitting was also heavy Tuesday, the survey showed. Two registered Democrats voting in District 7 at New Britain High School said they pulled the Michael T. Kozlowski lever Tuesday because "it's time for a change." In District 5 at Pulaski High School, i yet another registered Democrat said, "I voted straight Republican all the way." His reason: "Look all around you.

Taxes are up; everything has gone wrong. I wanted a change." One female Democrat also voting at Michael L. Werner Bristol Mayor Keeps Seat, Council Race Has Bristol Council Balance Remains Same 'Corruption, eted during his primary campaign by police angry at the city in their contract dispute, one officer, Allan Raynis, said he voted for McNamara because "I prefer to have a man in there with more experience." Contract settlements are never easy to make, Raynis said, adding, "you can't always have what you want. Some McNamara supporters were lukewarm Tuesday. "He's not the greatest, but he's the lesser of two evils," one man said.

Another said as he left the polls: "I voted for McNamara. Kozlowski is good, but he's a little too young to inherit the mess (corruption) in this city. Maybe next time." Said one registered Republican, who admitted she hasn't voted Republican "in years," said, "I voted for Kozlowski because it's time for a change." The woman said she "voted straight Republican to give him (Kozlowski) someone to work with," adding, "I'm thoroughly disgusted with the Democrats." In other city races, including as alderman and Board of Education, his illness last September, which required surgery and a three-week convalescence brought out the "sympathy vote." "Partying down at Nuchie's (Restaurant)," said Werner when asked what his plans were for the evening. Anthony Sileo, one of Werner's cam- Kaign workers, noted that Werner beat licucci by an almost two-to-one margin, a performance that is "quite a feat," considering Werner ran against three other candidates. Up the block from Republican headquarters on Main Street, Democrats milled about their headquarters pondering their veteran candidate's de-feaf'We all owe Sal a vote of confidence," said Democratic Town Chairman Donald Cassin.

Micucci, smiling despite his defeat, told Democrats that he had thought he was on "the road to victory" earlier mer Robert Ingolsby along with them. Joseph Sclafani received 5,964 votes, Robert Good received 6,985, Michael Zawadzkas received 6,658 and Ingolsby received 6,547. For the Republicans, Hutchinson re--ceived 4,815 votes and Rubino received 4,486 votes. Elected to four-year terms on the Board of Education were incumbent Alfred J. Finn, a Democrat who received 6,853 votes, and Robert T.

Crovo, a Republican who received 4,450 votes. Democrat Arthur Mattiello and Republican J. Thomas Ferrarrotti were elected to two-year terms on the. school board. BRISTOL Republicans easily held on to their two seats on the City Council Tuesday but the race was not without some surprises.

Incumbent Democratic Councilman' Richard A. LeBeau lost his bid for reelection in the 77th City Council District, while incumbent Republican Councilwoman Ann Degnan, who had to curtail her campaigning because of illness, won in the 79th City Council District. There are six members of the council, four of whom will be Democrats, plus Republican Mayor Michael L. Werner. Newcomer Stephen J.

Duffy, a Democrat, tallied 2,902 votes to win in the 77th District along with incumbent Vote GOP heavy ticket-splitting was evident as voters in several polling places said they were more interested in the candidate than party affiliation. Also, many voters Tuesday completely forgot about the charter revision referendum question that calls for the civil service reform. Some voters even slapped their brows and swore as they realized it was too late to slip back into the voting booth. District 7 poll worker Leonard Gor-dona, who says he can tell whether voters simply were pulling the party lever, noted Tuesday that voters seemed to be taking their time and splitting the tickets. District 7 poll workers said at lunch-time that voting had been fairly light, with only 545 persons out of a possible 3,217 voting by noon.

By 3 p.m. in District 5, 938 of 3,000 registered voters had cast ballots, while in District 12 at Central Connecticut State College, 600 of about 2,900 had voted by 12:45 p.m. By 1 p.m., 20 percent or 400 voters out of a possible 1,969 turned out at District 13 in the Elihu Burritt School. Tuesday night. "There's something wrong" when a city with a three-to-one majority of Democrats votes in a Republican administration, he said, adding he had thought residents wanted a change.

He said he worked "day and night" since the Democrats gave him their endorsement last summer. "I don't know if it was me. We'll never know probably," Micucci said, thanking his campaign workers for "their work and their faith." In the election two years ago, Werner received 8,116 votes while Micucci received 5,455, more than he did this year. Longo two years ago received 2,642 votes. Problems with voting machines in at least two voting districts prompted some election officials Tuesday to say a recount may be necessary in some races.

The machines' totals were difficult to read, election officials said. Michael J. Conway safe for drivers and residents. Residents had lead the opposition that defeated the project by a vote of 395-255 in a referendum last year. This time the organization was formed by street residents in order to have a more formal opposition force, when the project was offered for a second time to voters in a scaled-down version.

Though the Town Council members had unanimously supported the project this time, seven of the 12 Town Council candidates this election had spoken out against it. Mulberry Street is split between Town Council districts Band p. New Hartford Baxter Berlin Ward Boscolo Bober Klatt Cheshire Republicans Southington Democrats Plainville Republicans Surprises Republican William T. Stortz, who pulled 3,206 votes in that district. LeBeau had 2,366 votes, Michael Rim-coski, his Republican challenger, had 2,260 votes and Algier G.

Weeks, running on the Unaffiliated for Office ticket, had 88 votes. In the 78th District, the two incumbent Democratic councilmen, Ralph G. Papazian and John J. Leone won re-election over Republican challenger Sheldon A. Glick.

Papazian tallied 2,857 votes, Leone 3,238 and Glick 2,213. Former Councilman Alec Ka-minsky, a Democrat, won election to the council in the 79th District with 2,284 votes. Degnan, with 2,196 votes, won the other district seat. tion in an appointment of a replacement to the board. Besides the five Democrats, two Republicans will take office tomorrow.

Judith Dixon, a first time candidate, was her party's highest vote getter with 1,742 votes. That vote total was the second highest in the town. James O'Meara received 1,601 votes and will be the seventh selectman to be seated. Democrats have held a 5-2 majority for the past two years. Besides Morgan and Hicks Nancy Eisenlohr, who received 1,709 votes, incumbent Patsy Runzello, who got 1,669 votes, and Frederick Cavanagh, who received 1,676 votes, also will be seated today.

Democrats won three seats on the Board of Education, led by newcomer Steven Sedlack with 1,993 votes. Kathleen Parisi, the board's chairman, received 1,904 votes. Thomas Botticelli was the third Democrat to win a four-year board term, winning 1,858 votes. Two Republicans won four year terms on the Board of Education. Newcomer George W.

Phipps was the highest Republican vote getter with 1,707 votes. Mary Gouthier, daughter of Hicks, also will be seated on the board. She received 1,679 votes. Former Gilbert School Principal Charles Fecto, a Republican, easily defeated Democrat Janet Fazioli, who was appointed to the board two months ago to fill a vacancy. Conway Wins in Torrington Winsted Democrats Win Majority of Board Seats By JACK BOURQUE Courant Staff Writer By SUSAN HOWARD Courant Staff Writer BRISTOL Republican Mayor Michael L.

Werner made his strongest showing ever in Tuesday's municipal election, beating his three mayoral opponents by a wide margin. Unofficial tallies Tuesday night showed Werner received 8,616 votes while Democratic candidate Salvatore Micucci garnered 5,184. Independent Taxpayers candidate Frank J. Longo Sr. received only 1,229 votes, less than half the number he received in the 1979 election, while Concerned Citizens Party candidate Douglas A.

Beals, running for political office for the first time, received 612 votes. At Republican Party headquarters Tuesday night, Werner watched as election workers inked in the vote totals by district. Werner, 31, joked that Democrat Addo Bonetti easily defeated Republican challenger Richard Zaharek for city clerk. Bonetti is a former state representative. Bonetti got 6,622 votes to Zaharek's 4,327.

Conway's camapaign centered on his experience and his ability to lead the town in what he predicted will be tight financial conditions in the next two years. Waldron had attacked Conway for his failure to attract industry to the city's industrial park, which was completed this summer. Democratic council candidates easily outpolled Republican candidates. The three incumbents garnered the most votes and helped bring newcom- Voters Defeat The most vocal opposition to the project was centered among Mulberry Street residents. Voters at Plantsville School rejected it by 544 to 257 and voters at South End School rejected it 387 to 168.

In contrast, residents in the West Ridge School area turned it down 107 to 19 and those voting at North Center School rejected it 430 to 96. VOTE-NO Treasurer Mitch Mazur of 431 Mulberry St said a survey several months ago showed that almost 75 of the 80 households on the street were opposed to the road project and vote tallies on Tuesday reflected the residents' concerns. By JACK BOURQUE Courant Staff Writer TORRINGTON Democratic Mayor Michael J. Conway easily defeated Republican Hodges V.R. Waldron Tuesday by a margin of 3,075 votes.

Conway held on to the mayor's job with 7,054 votes to Waldron's 3,979. But that was a smaller margin than when Conway defeated Waldron two years ago. In that election, Waldron was the incumbent and Conway was a member of the City Council. Four Democrats will take seats on the council Dec. 7.

Two Republicans, Jonathan Hutchinson and incumbent Raymond Rubino, also won positions on the council. Southington SOUTHINGTON Voters soundly defeated the $1.37 million Mulberry Street improvement project Tuesday, just as the street's VOTE-NO organization had hoped. Representatives from Voice of the Electors No Overspending (VOTE-NO) blitzed the voting precincts Tuesday with two workers at each of the town's nine polling places handing out 3,000 brochures to voters as they entered the polling places. Based on unofficial figures Tuesday night, the project went down to defeat by 3,478 to 1,111. Voters in every district in town voted against it by a margin of more than 2 to 1.

Mulberry Street Project WINSTED Democrats regained control of the Board of Selectmen in Tuesday's election, but incumbent Mayor P. Francis Hicks was the party's lowest vote-getter. The board will meet today at 10 a.m. in Town Hall to elect the mayor from the seven selectmen that voters elected Tuesday. In past elections, the majority party usually has chosen as mayor the candidate who received the most votes for selectman.

If the tradition is followed, incumbent Selectwoman Phyllis Morgan could be chosen to govern the town for the next two years. Morgan was elected to her second term on the board Tuesday, receiving 1,792 votes, the highest total of all 10 candidates for the Board of Selectmen. Morgan's high vote total surprised her, she said Tuesday night "I never intended to be mayor, all I wanted to be was a good selectman." But whether she will take over the office "is going to be something I'll have to think about," Morgan said. "It's a tough decision," she said. Hicks, who received only 1,625 votes, said Tuesday night Til have to analyze the results to see what it means." When he was elected two years ago, Hicks received 2,223 votes.

During the last two months, Hicks has been criticized by party members for his attempt to bypass party tradi After the polls closed, Town Manager John Weichsel said chances were slim that the issue would ever rise in a referendum again. Town officials have supported a major reconstruction for two claiming that the road's poor condition left the town vulnerable to lawsuits in the event of accidents. However, residents in VOTE-NO, the first legally recognized political action group organized for a single issue in recent town history, have complained that the 30-foot street widening would result in a dramatic increase in incidents of speeding, thus making the road less rather than more -I.