Frank Officially Announces Bid for Greenwich Top Spot

Farricker vies for top spot - Article from May 30, Greenwich Times: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/local/scn-gt-a1farrickermay30,0,118703.story?coll=green-news-local-headlines

Cathy and Frank Farricker, with their twin children Alexandra and Christian, 6, stand in front of the Cos Cob School. (Helen Neafsey/Staff photo)May 30, 2007

Here is the Article byBy Neil VigdorStaff Writer

Democrat Frank Farricker entered the first selectman's race yesterday, saying he will make education and smart development cornerstones of his campaign.The town native chose Cos Cob School, which he attended and where his twin children are kindergartners, as the backdrop for his announcement.

"As a parent of two children in this school, you can be assured that I will make education in Greenwich my highest priority," Farricker told about 50 supporters. "Our kids need the best education that we can give them, with the best facilities, the best support and the best teachers. I will work with the schools and the parents, encouraging more communication and involvement, because nobody knows what is best for kids more than their parents."Farricker, 42, who works in real estate management in New York City and is in his fourth year as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, became the second person to declare in the race for the town's top office.Board of Estimate and Taxation Chairman Peter Tesei announced his candidacy on May 19 and is seeking the Republican nomination.The Democratic Town Committee will endorse a candidate on July 19. Yesterday, party leaders embraced his candidacy.

"Frank has never shrunk from a challenge," Democratic Town Committee Chairman Jim Himes told the group. "I have no doubt that he is going to run a spectacular race for first selectman."Ned Lamont, who won the Democratic primary for senator last year, also came out to support Farricker."I think Greenwich is lucky to have a candidate like Frank," Lamont said, explaining that the town needs a leader who can anticipate development trends. "You need a first selectman thinking about that. How do you keep Greenwich Greenwich?"Farricker lost a challenge to Republican William Nickerson for the state's 36th Senate District race last year.

Edward Krumeich Jr., who ran with Farricker on the same ticket, introduced the candidate to supporters and took a swipe at his Board of Estimate and Taxation colleague across the aisle."Peter Tesei represents the status quo," Krumeich said. "Unlike being chairman of the BET, where achieving consensus is paramount, the first selectman must lead and provide a clear direction."Responding to Krumeich's comments in a telephone interview, Tesei said he was proud of his achievements as BET chairman and delivered balanced budgets with bipartisan support and modest tax increases for several years in a row."That's how things get done in Greenwich," Tesei said. "That's a form of leadership."Tesei and Farricker are competing for an open seat currently filled by Republican Jim Lash, who will not run for a third term.Farricker described himself yesterday as a successful businessman with deep roots in the community and an extensive background in planning."Understanding the past and protecting our character while we continue to change as all communities do requires real leadership and a keen understanding of what is in the best interests of the town," said Farricker, an executive with The Penson Companies.

Farricker said his experience as a zoning commissioner would give him a leg up in updating the 1998 Town Plan of Conservation and Development, the authoritative guide to growth in Greenwich."I will seek and listen to the input and ideas of everyone in town, and not just the regular interests, so we can manage growth smartly and save what's left," Farricker said.A 1982 Greenwich High School graduate who interned for Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., two years later, Farricker has varied work experience, owning and running a restaurant in Washington, D.C., for four years before getting into real estate. He has a bachelor's degree in East Asian studies from George Washington University and a master's degree in real estate from Columbia University. He lives on Mead Avenue with his wife, Cathy, and their twins, Christian and Alexandra.

Farricker touted himself as a knowledgeable candidate who can manage the day-to-day operations of the town, including complex infrastructure projects."It is so critical that a place like Greenwich have a first selectman who knows how a public safety center is built, how a Hamilton Avenue School is built, and what to do when the best laid plans don't turn out the way they ought have," Farricker said."It's important that we have a first selectman who has been out there in the world, who knows how hedge funds work because he has worked with them, how buildings are built because he's built them, how to manage large organizations because he's managed them, and how to make executive decisions because he's made them."