Three of the four Board of Selectmen candidates believe Greenwich Point, Greenwich High School and Greenwich Library are among the town's best assets while all four see traffic-clogged streets as among the worst.
Though they share some similar perceptions of the town, the candidates differ on what they believe should be the town's top priority for the next 10 years when it comes to land use planning.
Republican Selectman Peter Crumbine believes the central business district should be the top priority while Peter Tesei, Republican candidate for first selectman, believes community facilities, such as schools, parks and civic centers, should top the list.
Democratic selectman candidate Lin Lavery, on the other hand, believes natural resources are the most important while Frank Farricker, Democratic candidate for first selectman, has community character as his top priority.
As consultants ask residents for input on Greenwich's new 10-year Plan of Conservation and Development, Greenwich Time asked the four candidates to weigh in on the issues. The Board of Selectmen would be key in helping to carry out the plan.
Participating in a similar exercise the consultants, Avon-based Planimetrics, employs during neighborhood meetings, the four candidates were asked to respond to three questions. First, they were asked to name up to five places they would be most proud to show off to out-of-towners. Then, they were asked to name up to five places they would avoid. Finally, from a list of a dozen topics, candidates were asked to rank one as their top priority, two as second-highest and two others as third-highest.
Crumbine said the central business district is a top priority because it makes both land-use and economic sense. Advocates, such as his wife, Bea, have pledged to privately raise the $25 million needed to turn the historic Havemeyer Building, now home to the Board of Education, into the new Greenwich Center for Arts.
