Southbury’s Edelson to seek third term

The Southbury Democratic slate, left to right, First Selectman Ed Edelson, Justin Bette, Selectman Donna Pereira and Mike Rosen, are shown with Edelson’s campaign chairman, Drew Morten, far right. They spoke on the Southbury Town Hall steps Wednesday night, announcing they would run for office this fall. (Marjorie Needham photo)

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

SOUTHBURY — Southbury First Selectman Ed Edelson stood on the Southbury Town Hall steps Wednesday, May 20, along with three other Democrats who will run for election with him this fall. Edelson will be seeking his third term as first selectman. Joining him in the race and running for selectmen will be Selectman Donna Pereira, who also is running for a third term, and newcomers Justin Bette and Mike Rosen.

Looking back, Edelson said his first two years were great, and the Board of Selectmen made great progress. Then a new board was elected. “Let’s just say it was quite different,” Edelson said. He said the new team was put together to do what is best for Southbury. He said they will not have a political agenda and will not engage in “gotcha” politics. Instead, they will seek to do what is best for the people of Southbury.

He commended Pereira for being by his side for the past four years and for serving on the Board of Finance before that. Incumbent Pereira, a Southbury resident for 20 years, said, “I am excited to run for a third term and am proud of what we’ve accomplished in the past four years. I will continue to work to ensure that Southbury continues to be a wonderful town in which to work and live.”

Bette, a real estate agent at his father’s agency, Joseph Bette Realtors, is the third generation of Bettes to volunteer to serve on Southbury’s Boards and Commissions. Over 10 years, he has served on the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Economic Development Committee and the Board of Finance, where he currently serves as vice chair. “I’m happy to have been born and raised in Southbury, and our team has one goal: Advancing Southbury,” he said. He said he was very pleased to have been asked to serve with Edelson, Pereira and Rosen.

Rosen and his family moved to town six years ago, and Rosen immediately got involved in community service. He serves on Southbury’s Parks and Recreation Commission and recently joined the leadership team of Keep America Beautiful, a national community and environmental nonprofit. He said, “I am proud to contribute to this team and will bring my community dedication and nonprofit experience to government. I am proud to send my kids to Pomperaug and Rochambeau schools, and I look forward to keeping our schools strong, our community beautiful and maintaining our responsible budget.”

Edelson said he is running for re-election with this team because they can do more to advance Southbury. “Together, we have the right skills to continue our path of progress,” he said. “We will continue to build a sustainable community that is an even better place to live, raise a family, own a business, and retire. Advancing Southbury is our mission, and we are dedicated to the people of Southbury.”