Democratic Town Committee Dinner Honors Herb Rosenthal

By Nancy K. Crevier

The Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall was filled to capacity Tuesday evening, June 5, with well wishers and supporters of the Democratic Town Committee (DTC) Second Annual Jefferson-Jackson-Bailey Day Dinner honoring former Newtown first selectman Herb Rosenthal.

Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinners, named for Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson, are annual fundraising dinners hosted by Democratic Party organizations in the United States. In Connecticut, the events are known as Jefferson-Jackson-Bailey Day (JJB Day) Dinners, in honor of the late Democratic National Committee chairman John Moran Bailey (1961 to 1968). Mr Bailey was a party boss for many years in Connecticut politics, and a main behind-the-scenes backer of President John F. Kennedy. The fundraising dinners also serve as an opportunity to honor Democrats who have served and are serving as party leaders.

Among the many local and state positions Mr Rosenthal has held over the years are five terms as Newtown first selectman; chairman of the Newtown Board of Education and for the regional Board of Education Connection for ten years; chairman of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities; member of the Board of Health for the Newtown Health District; treasurer of the Housatonic Valley Resource Recovery Authority; and he has served with the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency.

Following a convivial cocktail hour, in which Mr Rosenthal was congratulated by nearly every one of the 105 guests present, attendees were seated and Jim Juliano, chairman of the DTC, kicked off a series of guest speakers. Here to fete Mr Rosenthal for all of his accomplishments as a member of the Democratic Party, Mr Juliano said, “Herb continues his dedication to Newtown. We are proud to honor you, Herb, at this JJB Dinner.”

Mr Rosenthal’s three grandchildren, Hana, Emi, and Ben, then led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an invocation from Monsignor Robert Weiss of St Rose Catholic Church. Msgr Weiss referred to Mr Rosenthal as “a gentleman of ethics and values,” adding that it has been a privilege to known him. “We pray that God give you the health to continue on,” prayed Msgr Weiss, and offered prayers of thanksgiving, good health, “and blessings for years to come.”

Emcee for the evening was Newtown Legislative Representative Chris Lyddy, who in taking the microphone noted that it was to Mr Rosenthal’s credit that he looked out over an audience made up of both Democrats and Republicans. He then introduced Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, the keynote speaker for the evening that also included brief speeches by Attorney General George Jepsen, Secretary of State Denise Merrill, US Congress Democratic candidates for the Fifth District Elizabeth Esty and Dan Roberti, and Mike Harlow on behalf of Congressman Christopher Murphy.

“Herb, what did you do right?” questioned Lt Gov Wyman, asking the numerous Republicans in the room to stand up. The mix of political parties at the event was evidence, she said, that Mr Rosenthal is “the kind of leader so many of us want to be, Republican or Democrat.”

Keeping a lighthearted tone to her speech, Lt Gov Wyman went on to say that having worn the shoes of a local leader herself, a position she viewed as one of the “hardest but most fulfilling jobs I ever had,” she appreciated Mr Rosenthal’s decision to remain a politician at the local level and his dedication of service to the people.

“I am so proud to have Herb as a friend,” she said, because of his honesty and dedication to all offices he has held, but most of all because “His word is his bond. He’s not going to go back on that,” she said.

Lt Gov Wyman also praised Mr Rosenthal for his dedication to family — “Not only his blood family, but his Newtown family. Herb,” she said, addressing him directly, “Anything I can do for you, you know I’ll be there.”

Local government is about making government work for the people, and about solving problems, said Attorney General Jepsen, in his remarks. Mr Rosenthal, he said, is “truly viewed as one of the leaders of municipalities across the state.” Calling Mr Rosenthal one of the most pleasurable people to know, he concluded, “I respect you and cherish our friendship.”

Ms Merrill, Ms Esty, and Mr Roberti all touched on Mr Rosenthal’s great service to the Town of Newtown and the State of Connecticut, and his ability to govern in a thoughtful, intelligent, and pleasant manner, keeping the best interests of town and state at heart.

“You are one of the most fantastic people I’ve met,” said Ms Merrill.

“Herb always kept his door open [as first selectman of Newtown],” said Ms Esty. “We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful example [in Mr Rosenthal], in showing it is not about party, it’s about community,” she said.

Although he has known Mr Rosenthal for just a year and a half, Mr Roberti said he was impressed with the respect and esteem in which others hold Mr Rosenthal.

As an “exceptional and outstanding role model for others,” Mike Harlow, on behalf of Congressman Murphy, presented Mr Rosenthal with a Certificate of Recognition.

Guests Jay Gill, Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi, and director of Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority and former New Fairfield first selectman Cheryl Reedy added their words of congratulations following dinner, as did Mr Rosenthal’s sons, John and Dan.

On Wednesday, having had a day to digest the event, Mr Rosenthal admitted that the honor had been “kind of overwhelming. So many people said so many nice things, and the committee did such a wonderful job. It was touching.”

He was very pleased to have his wife, Michelle, and his children and their spouses, Sarah and John Sullivan, Dan Rosenthal and Meri Jitsukawa, Laura and Jeremy Collingwood, and stepson Michael Vastaselli, as well as his grandchildren and his mother-in-law, Colette Williams, on hand to celebrate with him. Not able to attend, but there is spirit, he said, were his daughter Julia David and his father, Jack Rosenthal. “It meant a lot to have them all there. Nobody told me that John and Dan would speak, and that was a very moving thing, since they are my sons,” said Mr Rosenthal.

As a public official, Mr Rosenthal said he often heard as much criticism as praise. “Honestly, I think it’s somewhat easier to take criticism [than all of the praise given Tuesday evening]. But I appreciated this very much, and going forward, I hope I can live up to people’s expectations,” said Mr Rosenthal.

Co-chairmen of the event Maureen Crick Owen and Jan Brookes said that they and other members of the DTC were very pleased, but not surprised, at the excellent turnout at the fundraising dinner honoring the former first selectman.

“The evening was a great tribute to Herb Rosenthal,” said Ms Owen. “Everyone that spoke had some great stories to tell and kinds words.”

“We were happy to give Herb Rosenthal the tribute he deserved,” agreed Ms Brookes. “I think it was important, not just for him, but for his friends and family to gather and acknowledge the positive contributions Herb has made in so many areas,” she said.

For more photographs of the event, see the slide show at www.newtownbee.com.