Not the guy for this job

licans to distract Greenwich voters from the real issues at stake in our upcoming election for first selectman. I know I’m more interested to hear about who is most qualified, and who has the experience and vision to lead our town into the future: Jill Oberlander or Fred Camillo? By their actions, the Republican leadership seems to be acknowledging that it already knows the answer to those questions: Jill Oberlander.

Joan Thakor

Greenwich make a difference in humanity. I found an idea, and after many days and months of hard work, experiments, research, conference calls, testing all with the mentorship of recognized professionals from Greenwich, and a scientist director at MIT, I created a new concept of a toothpaste that is in the process to be patented, and the year after, I created a unique vitamin.

I was exposed to international and recognized mentors.

The continuous research and observations about what is need it, brought me to create a new product “FootShell,” a proven cream that eliminates the odor and “stinky” smell of feet and shoes, already selling online and in Amazon.

All these experiences and constant encouragement of my older brother, brought me to understand the resources we have around. One day I had the privilege to meet a leader that has been in the Connecticut House of Representatives: Fred Camillo. I met him at a ceremony at the beginning of this year. I heard his ideas and plans, and I felt impacted by his tranquility, security, and knowledge about the facts he mentioned during his presentation. After this event, I decided I will contact him for advice. It took me a few days to find him. He accepted to meet with me and my mom with the purpose to hear his advice and ideas regarding my product as a young entrepreneur. I wanted to tell him my story, and to express him my challenges and my goals. He listened very attentively, he gave me his suggestions and advice over my ideas and encouraged me to keep working persistently and continuously steady. After this initial meeting, I looked for him in other public venues where he was imprinting his knowledge and solutions, where I could learn more from him and his supporters.

After following his suggestions, I have improved my business, I understand more about my relationship with my government officials, and I feel we the young generations of Greenwich, have a bright future with leaders like him.

Nikita Marino Greenwich

I hear from many people that Fred Camillo is a nice guy. I don’t doubt that. But his friendly demeanor falls far short of qualifying him for the first selectman role, which means managing a $450 million operation.

As a state representative for the last 11 years, Fred’s job has been to vote on legislative issues and sometimes to propose legislation himself. While I disagree in many cases with how he voted and what he proposed, I would never say that he was illequipped to serve as a legislator. But there is a vast difference between the legislative function in which Fred has ample experience and the executive/managerial function to which he now aspires.

The first selectman is responsible for simultaneously managing numerous departments, overseeing budgets, resolving interdepartmental disagreements, negotiating contracts, and enforcing project management timelines. Fred’s opponent, Jill Oberlander, has vast experience in the intricacies of municipal government, having served in several divisions of New York City government. That background, coupled with the intimate knowledge of the nuts and bolts of Greenwich town affairs she developed as chair of the Board of Estimate and Taxation — which delves in detail into all aspects of the town’s budget — equips her excellently for the first selectman role. And her efforts would be bolstered by her running mate, Sandy Litvack, a former chief operating officer of Disney, where he was responsible for managing all aspects of a multibilliondollar business.

Fred has no comparable experience. I understand his role in his family business, and I have no reason to doubt that he did a good job. But running a business of that size has almost no relation to running a large business — or a town with nearly a halfbilliondollar budget. A very different skill set is required. There is a reason that large corporations typically do not choose as CEO those who have run only small companies!

So, Fred may be a nice guy, but he is not the guy for this job. I know nice (and capable) ophthalmologists and pediatricians, but I would not turn to them if I needed cardiac surgery. They simply lack the relevant experience, and I would not commit something so important and complex to someone without it. We should apply the same approach when choosing someone to manage something as important and complex as our town