Politics & Government

Walker Will Not Run

First Selectman Jeb Walker said he will not seek re-election.

First Selectman Jeb Walker says he told town employees Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to a third term in November.

Municipal workers received an e-mail Wednesday morning, inviting them to attend a meeting in the afternoon at where Walker made the announcement. Members of media were not invited. In a phone call on Wednesday, Walker told Patch he would issue a press release about the announcement Thursday.

The Republican has served as since 2007. Prior to that he served as chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, and was a member of the 2006 Downtown Study Committee, which examined the strategic development of parking in downtown New Canaan.

Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In February, Walker said he would not make an announcement about his future political plans until the end of the budget process. The met Wednesday night to vote on the town budget.

Steve Karl, vice chair of the Town Council, praised Walker’s guidance during the challenging economic climate of the past few years.

Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It was a pleasure to work with him over the years and he will be remembered as a very successful first selectman," Karl said. "He guided us as through some of the worst financial times in our lifetimes. He deserves a lot of credit for navigating us through that.”

Karl cited Walker's establishing offsite meetings for the , Town Council and to work on the town budget as an example of the first selectman's leadership.

“He brought everybody together under one roof,” Karl said. “It was a much more collegial and cooperative approach to the budget. By doing that he’s really taken the budget process to another level. It may create a few more meetings but it was a very very big thing to bring it to the next level of fiscal responsibility.”

Karl also noted Walker’s stewardship through the crippling storm of March 2010, as did the chair of the Ginny Apy.

“Jeb should be very proud of the wonderful job he did getting the town through all the storms we have encountered during his terms,” Apy said in an e-mail to Patch. “I never remember another Selectman going through what Jeb has, from long power outages to endless snow, which he did a great job with every time. I have always been appreciative of how open and respectful Jeb has been when dealing with him on many issues. On behalf of the Democrats, I wish Jeb well in his retirement and thank him for his service to the Town.”

Walker created something of a storm when he created the in May 2010. Established to create a plan for downtown New Canaan, the committee's formation and mandate quickly came under fire.  The group was in October 2010, after two members of the original . On Wednesday night, the Town Council approved a for the committee to continue with Phase 2 of its work.

Rob Mallozzi, who for the position of first selectman in February, said, “I’m still digesting the news and I will be better prepared for comment tomorrow.”

Neither Mallozzi nor Sally Hines, the two selectmen who serve alongside Walker, were informed of his decision before he made his announcement to town employees.

“I was not informed in any way, shape or form,” Hines said. “Town employees were asked to appear for a brief announcement. I was not invited nor told directly. I’ve always liked Jeb. He’s a decent guy. His instincts are good. He’s organized and competent. And I think he did a good job guiding the town through the last couple years of economic difficulties, at keeping anxiety at a good level.”

 In an e-mail to Patch, James O’Hora, chair of the said, “I will have no comment on any local races until tomorrow.”


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