Good afternoon and thank you for the honor of two more years serving as your First Selectman.
How about our musical talent today? Jessica Wilson on keyboard and Paul Lussier singing the National Anthem.
Shortly after the election in 2007, I had the pleasure of being introduced to Fred Allyn, then Mayor–elect of Ledyard and Bob Ross, First Selectman–elect of Salem, at a dinner party arranged by our mutual friend, Larry Stevens. We were all facing our first terms and were anxious and excited to get to work. During dinner, we shared ideas and forged friendships. That afternoon impressed upon me the importance of regional cooperation. Thank you Larry and Lynn – and the food was great!
As Executive Director of Military Affairs the State will reap the benefits of Bob’s intellect and experience. I look forward to supporting his efforts in any way that I can as he begins this challenging new assignment. Thank you Bob for the introduction and kind words and for your friendship! The governor has made the perfect choice for Executive Director of Military Affairs.
Today, we honor our World War II Veterans as we remember those events at Pearl Harbor on that December 7th, 68 years ago. Had you not answered the call, I cannot imagine that our country and the freedoms it represents would be what they are today. We celebrate free elections because of the commitment and sacrifice of your generation and the many veterans that have followed your path through many wars and conflicts in support of our country’s way of life. Thank you for your service and stewardship in defense of our country! I know too, that there are veterans here today of Korea, Viet Nam, the Gulf war, Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank you for your stewardship and service.
Recently, East Lyme lost a strong voice in our community. A voice always in support of veterans and their rights and how to improve their lives. Brian Gaffney was a Viet Nam vet, a small businessman and a tireless supporter of the legion and the vets council on behalf of the community that he served so well, we have set aside an empty chair today in honor of all of his good works supporting East Lyme’s Veterans, our town and the region. Thank you Brian and his sister – June froh – is here with us today.
How fitting that today, we are holding this ceremony here at Camp Rell’s Nett Hall. This leadership hall was named for Medal of Honor winner Col. Robert Nett – a New Haven native and CT National Guardsman. Then Lt. Nett, he was a company commander in December, 1944 when he led an assault on a Japanese stronghold. Though seriously wounded during the attack, he killed 7 enemy soldiers. Colonel Nett assisted in training in both the Korean and Viet Nam wars. He was awarded his medal of honor for heroism in combat.
I would like to thank General Martin of the CT National Guard for hosting us today and for the strong partnership that continues with the guard and the town of East Lyme. Thank you to all the members of the CT National Guard that you represent and for their long history of service to Connecticut and our Nation.
I am once again honored to serve the town that I love so much. These past two years have been the highlight of my professional life and have gone by very quickly. Two years ago, we talked of budget transparencies, departmental efficiency and a new approach to government. We have since passed two budgets at referendum and this year, without a tax increase. I was elected to run the town like a business, but quickly learned that we can run the town like a business, but unlike most businesses, our town will be here 100 years from now. That means we must continually invest in upgrading our infrastructure and updating our process. Working across party lines, we have achieved many of the goals we set despite the declining revenues of economic downturn and the State’s reduction in funding.
Our talented team of department heads are continually looking to create new efficiencies. These leaders are a true team of dedicated professionals who consistently put the town first, as demonstrated when they voluntarily deferred their wage increase for this year. Last year, they collectively tightened their belts and did not spend over $975,000 of the approved budget, so that we could return a surplus to the general fund. I thank them and ask them to stand and be recognized.
Moving forward, our challenges are many, but I believe that our opportunities are greater regionally and locally. We are attacking our water shortfall head on and developing long-term solutions that will protect our water supplies and the town’s economic future for decades to come.
We formed the commission for the conservation of natural resources to better protect the environment and I encourage all of you to learn more about the Commission’s new program – The Nature of East Lyme.
We joined with the D.E.P. and Amtrak and developed a plan to protect and enhance our boardwalk’s future and we will work closely with the marina district to insure a smooth transition from the old railroad bridge to the new.
We implemented a STEAP grant from the State to redo the streetscape in Niantic Village to make our downtown more user friendly for residents and business alike. Thanks to Niantic Main Street, the Niantic Rotary and East Lyme Beautification for partnering with the town on this effort. We welcome new businesses; Niantic Farm Market, Smarty’s and we look for Frank’s Main Street Grill to open soon in the old Constantine’s location. By next summer, the village will be fantastic!
We support the extension of Shoreline East to a regional hub in New London and I have recommended to the D.O.T. that we develop an additional train stop in Rocky Neck State Park. Much of the infrastructure exists there for a successful stop.
These next two years will require all of us to work together locally and regionally if we are to continue the progress. I’d like to recognize State Representative Ed Jutila and State Senator Andrea Stillman for their availability to my office and for what they do for East Lyme.
I cannot tell you the future of route 11, but I know that we must first make that stretch of I-95 safer before we can add more traffic. I will continue the fight to improve this stretch of highway alongside First Selectman Dan Steward of Waterford to make exits 74 / 75 safer for all of us and the travelling public.
I have worked with our regional organizations of Towns – COST, CCM and SCCOG these past few years. The Mayors and First Selectmen that I have met all work tirelessly for their Towns and they unselfishly look across town borders to support each other. This is regionalism at work and results in a growing spirit of cooperation that is spreading across Connecticut. It is from that spirit that good solutions will come. Thank you to all of you here today (McCoy, Griswold, Steward, Jaskiewicz)
To those of you newly elected or re-elected that I share today’s ceremony with by raising our right hands together – thank you on behalf of all of us.
These next few years, we will serve East Lyme together and be stewards of our positions and protectors of our Town’s charter, its regulations and community spirit. We will not represent political parties rather; we represent all the residents of East Lyme. We will honor those office holders who came before us in our positions and will be mindful of leaving our town better for those who will follow us. I offer my support to each of you and pledge to serve you to the best of my ability.
I would like to recognize two long-term stewards of East Lyme – Esther Williams and Rose Ann Hardy. Esther beginning her twenty-eighth year and she and her team make the work of the Clerk’s office look effortless.
Rose Ann’s legacy will not only be her twenty- four+ years of service, but will be reflected in the interest in government she has instilled in countless young people. Congratulations to you both – the Town is better for your service.
We face enormous challenges in this country, our State of Connecticut and subsequently our Town. We will proceed cautiously and prudently to improve our balance sheet, while seizing the opportunities presented to us. It will not be easy and cannot be done alone. One man – one commission – one ideology cannot and will not accomplish that which we can all together, as one community accomplish. We have and will continue to put policy ahead of politics and look for partnerships that strengthen and secure our future – no matter who gets the credit.
I know of good partnerships – they are unselfish and exist for the common benefit first – the individual second. I know firsthand, as I have had the greatest pleasure to be married to my best friend and life partner for 27 years. I thank Donna today for her constant support, our family and her love!
In closing, we live in a tremendous town, filled with terrific people and wonderful places. Today, we have all sworn to do our best to improve and protect the future of East Lyme. Together, with all of your help, we will face the challenges in front of us head on with optimism, innovation and hard work. We will build on what our predecessors started and we will put in motion the building blocks for our future leaders to embellish. Our grandchildren depend on it.
Thank you again for this honor that you have bestowed on me and from all the Formicas, we wish you and yours a joyous holiday season and a prosperous and safe new year!
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