Updated: Knickerbocker, Straiton to Run For Second Term

At 4 p.m. Tuesday, First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker and Selectman Richard Straiton announced their plans to run for a second term this fall at a press conference at the Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center.

They were also unanimously endorsed by Bethel's Democratic Town Committee and will seek an official nomination at the party's caucus on Thursday, July 21. 

"I am very proud to announce my plans to run for re-election in the Town of Bethel and I’m proud to have Rich Straiton with me in that endeavor," Knickerbocker said. "Rich and I have made a very strong team for the town…we have a lot of work to do, we’ve done a lot and we have a lot of work in front of us."

Straiton reiterated Knickerbocker's sentiments, also stating that he was looking forward to building a better Bethel.

“The Democrats have always been builders of the Town of Bethel; Under many administrations came school buildings and even this municipal center," Straiton said. "We’ve been working hard for the people of Bethel and we’ll continue to work hard for the people of Bethel.”

Since being elected in 2009, Knickerbocker said himself and Straiton have worked to improve several town issues, especially the roads, which he said he's received the most calls about.

"So far 25 percent is done with phase one and all of it should be done by the end of summer," he said. "It’s great progress and we get a lot positive feedback about it, but we have a lot more to do."

Knickerbocker added that getting all the roads fixed will one of his greatest challenges should he serve a second term. He said he'd like to get the rest of the road bond passed in one shot to save the town money on separate referendums. 

Another issue the first selectman said he'd like to continue working on is improving Bethel's economy. He said some of the steps he's taken so far was creating the Economic Outreach Committee, starting the downtown farmers market and making use out of the old train station and repaving its parking lot at no cost to taxpayers. The latter, he said, benefits parking for all the surrounding businesses.

Knickerbocker said he'll also continue to work with all the departments and reach across the aisle.

"We’ve really been working cooperatively with our counterparts and with the other boards and commissions. One of goals from the previous election was to create stability and openness in our town government," he said. "We work well with what you would call ‘minority’ Selectman Paul Szatkowski, but he’s every bit a member of our team and we’re proud of the work we do together."

Szatkowski, a Republican, will be running under former selectman this fall, both of which were unanimously endorsed by Bethel's Republican Town Committee.

Straiton also spoke of his plans to find a permanent home for the ProAccess Teen Center after organizing volunteers to refurbish a in the municipal center.

“[ProAccess has] been utilized to the fullest and it’s a great thing for the teens of the town to have," Stration said. "We’d like to build an annex on the end of this building and we’ve already started applying for grants to start that process.”

Knickerbocker concluded his announcement by saying he was ready to start the election season. He said, “We’re looking forward to another two years and we’ll campaign hard to earn that opportunity.”

Former Bethel Democrat First Selectmen David D. Deacon and Alice Hutchinson were also in attendance to celebrate Knickerbocker's intentions to run again.

Hutchinson said, "Our party has consistently honored the history of Bethel and I think Matt and Rich have exemplified that and a vision for its future."