Super Tuesday Comes to Greenwich / Update

In a couple of days we here in Greenwich may have helped to pick the winning candidates for each party in the next Presidential election. As Greenwich goes, so goes the nation, right? Well, our Town has produced more US senators, ambassadors, vice presidents, and presidents than any other town in the country, so it makes perfect sense that this should be the case.

Meanwhile, the local political landscape is changing as well. Skippy Snickerson and the Doll have both announced their long-awaited retirement plans, and there is dancing in the streets at the opportunity to send some fresh blood up to Hartford. Former State Rep Janet Lockton is itching to get back into harness, and would be a natural to replace Skippy. Ed Krumeich nearly beat the Doll last time around, and after many years of yeoman service to the Town on the BET and the DTC, would make an ideal replacement for her. As mentioned before in these pages, Ed's prowess on the stage as seen in numerous local Gilbert & Sullivan productions would make him well-suited to tap dance his way though the political tripwires up in Hartford.

Moreover, Ed being a Democrat, he would quite likely have more influence for good in our local area as a member of the majority party in the House. Why the local voters have never focused on the widsom of sending a strong Democratic candidate to the House is a mystery to your scribe, but maybe that will change this time around. As for Republican candidate Janet, her district would include part of north Stamford and New Canaan (remember, dear reader, the State Senate is much smaller than the House of Representatives), which is pretty much dyed-in-the-wool Republican territory. Her experience and contacts in Hartford would be certain to prove beneficial to all of us here in the local area.

Meanwhile, Skippy is still very much on the scene, alas. Your scribe was walking peacfully down Greenwich Avenue the other day when he was accosted by Skippy, who waved his arms wildly like semaphores and exclaimed, "Hi! How are you? Great to see you!" Your scribe had to duck under the flailing arms in order to get by him and proceed on his way. (As long-time readers of these pages will recall, Skippy is well aware of your scribe's allergic reaction to him, and loves to make a game of it; he has been known to sneak up behind your scribe at the library and say "Hi, Bill" in order to elicit a "Hello" in return - which actually worked once, much to your scribe's embarrassment.)

So change is in the wind, and our Town has its part to play in bringing it about. Which, of course, means YOU, dear reader. The polls will be open from 6 AM to 8 PM, so be sure to do your civic duty and VOTE. No, I know the party machines in Town no longer reimburse you in cash for your trouble, as they did in the early decades of the last century, but that's no reason to stay home. Remember, people tend to get the government they deserve. Indifference breeds business as usual. If there's one thing on which all the candidates seem to agree right now, it's the need for change. So let's all do our part to bring it about.



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UPDATE


Well, voting day is here, but so far participation in Town is sluggish. The pouring rain doesn't help, but even before the rain began there was no rush to the polls. Your scribe is disappointed, to say the least, that the turnout so far is not heavier.

However, there are reportedly quite a lot of absentee ballots, and yesterday the line at the Registrars' Office of unaffiliated voters seeking to register with a party was said to fill most of the ground floor of Town Hall. So let us see what the rest of the day may bring.

Meanwhile, here is a picture (click to enlarge) of the AuthorBuddies handing out Munchkins and fliers at the Jim Himes campaign table:

Astute readers will note that Jim Himes will not be on the ballot until November, so the AuthorBuddies are well ahead of the curve. It is pleasant to report that quite a few people indicated they will be supporting Jim's bid to unseat Chris Shays next fall. From comments heard by your scribe this morning, there should be strong bi-partisan voter support for Jim.

Your scribe, be it noted, is also supporting another of his favorite causes, the Manuscript Mavens. Yes, folks, that's the new button on the scribal sweater, along with sticker from the polls. Curiously, their message is very similar in tone: "Proud to Vote", and "Proud to be a MaveFave". One might say that the scribal chest is bursting with pride today.