Fairfield Republicans Set Up Sites For Petition Drive For Special Election

FAIRFIELD, CT ? Fairfield's Republican Town Committee have set up collection sites for signatures on a petition to force a special election for the office of First Selectman, following the untimely passing of Bill Gerber.

According to the party, under the Fairfield Town Charter and Connecticut state law, voters may petition for a special election if at least 5 percent of registered voters, approximately 2,100 signatures, are collected by Sept. 9. Organizers emphasize "that signing the petition is not a vote for or against any candidate. Rather, it is about ensuring Fairfield residents, not political insiders, decide who will serve as the town?s next First Selectman."

On Monday, as outlined in Connecticut State Statute Sec. 9-222, Democratic elective town officers convened to vote to fill the post, and appointed Democrat Christine Vitale as Fairfield's new First Selectwoman. Vitale had been serving in the role on an acting basis.

State Sen. Tony Hwang has announced he is running to become Fairfield's First Selectman.

"This is about democracy," said RTC Chair Laura Devlin in a statement to Patch about the petition drive. "Signing the petition simply guarantees that every registered voter has the right to choose our next leader at the ballot box. Without enough signatures, that choice will be made for the community by an appointment made by party insiders instead of an election."

Petition Collection Schedule
Residents may sign the petition at the following times and locations:

Wednesday, August 27:

• 11:00 AM ? 2:00 PM: Spic & Span Market (329 Pequot Ave, Southport)
• 11:00 AM ? 2:00 PM: Robert A. Vance CPA, LLC (565 Kings Hwy East)
• 2:00 PM ? 6:00 PM: Amy Ruggiero (329 Greenfield Hill Rd, Front Door)

Thursday, August 28:

• 8:00 AM ? 1:00 PM: Country Cow Deli (2505 Black Rock Turnpike)
• 11:00 AM ? 2:00 PM: Spic & Span Market (329 Pequot Ave, Southport)
• 11:00 AM ? 2:00 PM: Robert A. Vance CPA, LLC (565 Kings Hwy East)
• 3:00 PM ? 7:00 PM: Saugatuck Sweets (28 Reef Road)
• 8:00 AM ? 6:00 PM: Amy Ruggiero (329 Greenfield Hill Rd, Front Door)

Friday, August 29:

• 8:00 AM ? 6:00 PM: Amy Ruggiero (329 Greenfield Hill Rd, Front Door)

Saturday, August 30:

• 8:30 AM ? 12:00 PM: Country Cow Deli (2505 Black Rock Turnpike)
• 12:00 PM ? 2:00 PM: Saugatuck Sweets (28 Reef Road)

Organizers said additional signing locations will be announced for the following week.

"Every signature matters: without them, the opportunity for a special election will be lost," organizers said.

For more information, email: fairfieldpetition@gmail.com.