Simsbury Republican Nancy Haase To Challenge Mary Glassman For First Selectman

Tuesday evening, Simsbury Republican Selectman Nancy Haase announced that she is challenging Mary Glassman for the town’s First Selectman seat.

“The need for leadership in Simsbury has never been greater,” Haase said. “You only need to drive down Hopmeadow Street to see the challenges we are facing. We have vacant storefronts. We have a government bureaucracy that is slowing development. And we recently learned that Simsbury’s largest taxpayer, The Hartford, is leaving town. Our tax base is shrinking and, as every homeowner knows, our houses have lost value.” 

Haase, first elected to the Board of Selectmen in a special election in early 2011, spoke to supporters in front of Eno Memorial Hall at 5:30 p.m. Among those joining local Simsbury Republicans and three media outlets, was state Sen. Kevin Witkos.

At a party caucus later Tuesday night, the party endorsed Haase and a full slate of candidates (separate story to be posted).

At the caucus meeting, Former Simsbury First Selectman Peggy Shanks, businesswoman Melissa Brett and businessman and community leader Jackson Eno spoke in support of Haase.

Shanks said the job requires one to be a legislator and a manager and touted Hasse’s ability to listen and lead as well as involvement in organizations or agencies, such as supporting Simsbury Land Trust initiatives, serving as vice chairmanship of the Economic Development Commission and more. 

“Her proven leadership is well grounded in a deep sense of respect for others,” Shanks said.

Brett said Haase is passionate about all her roles whether it’s as a marketing professional, community involvement, a mother or a wife.

“Whatever she does for this town, it is with her whole heart,” Brett said.

At the earlier meeting, Haase said the town’s priorities should be refocused.

“With challenges like these, our priorities must change,” Haase said. “Simsbury must be more than a bike friendly community. Charrettes, subcommittees and consultants are no longer enough. Building permits don’t equate to shovels in the ground. Without shovels in the ground and adaptive reuse, our commercial tax base will continue to shrink.” 

Reached by Patch, Glassman countered that she is proud of a record of fiscal responsibility such as budgets with historically low increases and said many projects that have come to town or are in the process, such as Big Y, Dorset Crossing and Millwrights Restaurant, showing that the town’s “plan is working.”

"I am excited to seek re-election as Simsbury's First Selectman and look forward to discussing important issues to the people of Simsbury. I am proud of the town's record low budgets and proactive economic development efforts which will bring more than $17 million in new projects to our town,” Glassman said. “It is disappointing to hear a Selectman critical of the town's initiatives she supported."

Haase also touted her experience as a marketing professional and said she can work with both parties.

“I have always been committed to putting people over politics,” Haase said at the end of her 5:30 speech. “We have a truly wonderful town. Yet, we also have a great, untapped potential as a community. Together, we can bring new priorities and new leadership. Together, we can inspire ourselves to do more and to achieve more. And do it with a simple vision: to protect and enhance our quality of life, making Simsbury a better place for ourselves, our families and our local businesses.”