First Selectman Manville reelected, wins 4th term
While the first selectman names on the ballot Tuesday were incumbent Republican Jeffrey Manville and Democratic challenger John Diehl, those names also represented a choice for voters — a focus on the future of Southbury or a focus on the here and now.
Manville’s main message this election cycle was a focus on financial stability the next 20 years. Diehl’s focus was a call for a full review of the Edgewood pool issue and his view of the lack of transparency for residents on that issue.
On Election Day, using the final result as an indicator, Manville’s message resonated with Southbury voters.
Unofficial numbers according to results tabulated by Manville’s camp indicate he revived 3,232 votes from the town’s three poling sites and Diehl received 1,999. This is not including 700-plus absentee ballots that still needed to be counted Tuesday night.
“Yes, the voters heard my message and I am so happy to be back,” Manville said. “I do my job every day and I strive to be fiscally responsible. During the campaign I did my best to reach out to the new people in town. What they said is they moved here for the financial stability of the town and that gave me an indication I was doing something right.
“Going around town
today and talking to people also gave me an indication I had a pretty good shot tonight.”
Diehl could not be reached for comment at press time.
Heading into Election Day, Manville and Diehl knocked on doors and reached out to residents with their differing issues and points of view.
Manville’s priority was running on his experience and administration's success the past six years that will lead to financial stability in the future.
One highlight of that success Manville stressed time and again was Moody’s Investors Service upgrading Southbury’s general obligation bond rating from Aa2 to Aa1 last spring. According to a post on the town website it affected $2.3 million dollars of outstanding debt.
The increased rating enables the town to borrow at lower interest rates in future years, saving taxpayers money over the life of the bonds. Aa rated obligations are judged to be the highest quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
Manville believes the town’s commitment to fiscal responsibility has led to a stronger financial position with the upgrade affirming the town’s financial operations.
Going into Election Day, Diehl prioritized more immediate issues with his focus on the town’s delay in upgrading the pool at Ballantine Park. The town’s consideration in 2020 to buy the Edgewood Bath and Tennis Club and its pool in Middlebury to replace the Ballantine pool became the prime talking point for Diehl.