Patch Candidate Profile: Herb Rosenthal For Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers

NEWTOWN, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:
Herb Rosenthal

What office are you seeking?
Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers

What town do you live in?
Newtown, CT

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Democratic Party

Occupation:
Retired from Goldman Sachs as a Vice President/Wealth Manager. I was in financial services industry, financial planning, investment management and insurance for 52 years

Family:
I have been married to Michelle Williams Rosenthal for over 28 years and between us we have six children and ten grandchildren, as well as two cats. Michelle is a retired public-school teacher, and is a watercolor artist with a business, Michelle Renee Studios. Michelle sells her paintings, cards and bookmarks as well as her handmade gemstone earrings, bracelets and necklaces at local area shops. Our son, Dan, and my father, Jack, were both Newtown First Selectmen, as was I.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
Not now.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes. The following elective offices: From 1984-1997 a member of the Newtown Board of Education, Chair from 1994-1997; from 1997-2007 Newtown First Selectman; from 2007-2009 Member of Board of Selectmen; from 2009-2015 Member Zoning Board of Appeals; from 2015-2017 Member of Board of Selectmen; from 2017-2025 Member of Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers.

Why are you seeking this office?
I have been serving in this office for eight years and have enjoyed it very much and believe that my 42 years of service in various Newtown elected public offices have been beneficial to the Board of Managers.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
We need to continue our efforts to make the Edmond Town Hall self-sustaining, thus easing the burden on our taxpayers, as well as a go-to place for Newtown and area residents to enjoy quality entertainment.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I have had more experience.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
The continuous improvement of Edmond Town Hall is my only issue.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
There were many both as a Board of Education Member and as First Selectman. Perhaps the most significant was the purchase and development as a Newtown resource of the former Fairfield Hills property from the State of Connecticut.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
To have an open mind to the opinions of others and to be a good listener.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I have always tried to do what I believed would be in the best interests of the Town of Newtown.