Independent Brad Merritt is latest to form a team
By: Jake Uitti
ROCKY HILL Independent Borough Councilman Brad Merritt has teamed up with Republicans Eileen Uhrik and Mary Seither to run together in the November election for mayor and council.
Ms. Seither, a longtime resident of Rocky Hill, said she is interested in open government and having taxes reduced. Ms. Uhrik has served on the Borough Council for one year after taking over for former councilman and current mayor George Morren when Mayor Morren replaced former Mayor Brian Nolan.
"We have agreed to campaign together," Mr. Merritt said. "I’ve known Mary for 25 years; she is very ethical. And I was impressed with Eileen’s voting record. She always voted her conscience. She is very sincere. I think she does a good job. She has been standing up to people."
Mr. Merritt will head the group as the mayoral candidate. Ms. Uhrik and Ms. Seither will be running for the two open seats on council, those of Ms. Uhrik and Ed Zimmerman.
Though they will be running together, Mr. Merritt said, his name will still appear on an independent column, while the names of Ms. Uhrik and Ms. Seither will appear on the Republican column.
"We sat down and discussed the issues and we are basically on the same page," Mr. Merritt said.
Mr. Merritt will be running against Mr. Zimmerman for mayor. The two are the only remaining candidates for the position after Republican Borough Councilman Richard Batchelder withdrew from the race, citing a lack of time for the mayoral position. Democrat Bill O’Brien also withdrew from the mayoral race.
Mr. Zimmerman in June teamed up to form a slate with Republican Dan Harrington and Democrat Bill Hallman, who are both running for the open council seats. Mr. Zimmerman will head that ticket, which is not affiliated with either major party.
Mr. Hallman, the husband of former Borough Councilwoman Connie Hallman, has served on the borough Board of Health, while Mr. Harrington has served on the Traffic Calming Committee and was president of the Rocky Hill Co-op Nursery School.

