Newtown’s Republican First Selectman Pat Llodra, and her GOP running mate, Selectman Will Rodgers told The Bee June 10 that they would both be seeking reelection in November.

In a prepared statement, Mrs Llodra looked back on the day she first took office as the community’s top elected leader nearly six years ago, following a successful tenure on the Legislative Council.

“I knew on that first day that to serve as Newtown’s leader is an honor that must be earned and re-earned every single day,” she said – “earned  through hard work, dedication to all tasks, whether small or large, commitment to people over politics, and genuine understanding of how governing is a subtle and careful mixture of leading and listening.”

 She said in the nearly three full terms she has served as Newtown’s CEO have taught her many things and, “touched my heart in ways beyond expectation.”

“While natural and manmade events have tested my will and my strength, my resolve and my commitment have never wavered,” Mrs Llodra said. “I am now seeking another term as Newtown’s leader and reach out, again, to all voters to hear their hopes and dreams, their worries and concerns, and learn how all of us, together, can help Newtown continue on that path toward excellence.”

Mr Rodgers told The Bee that he is excited at the prospect of continuing to serve his home town.

“I’m excited because we’ve suffered a few tough years, and we’ve emerged with something we can build on,” Mr Rodgers said. “From a leadership perspective, the budget wrangling is behind us, we’re investing a lot of money in improving our roads, and we’re continuing with a plan for responsible spending. Now comes the reaping of benefits from our hard work.”

Mr Rodgers said it will be nice to move forward with so many positive things happening in town.

“We’re really starting to take off,” he said. “Pat and I are very pleased and looking forward to seeking our party’s endorsement and receiving the voters’ endorsement.”

The incumbent first selectman, who has always rejected attempts to re-label her as ‘selectwoman’, said she was especially pleased that incumbent Selectman Rodgers is again joining her on the GOP ticket.

“Will’s service on the board has been exemplary,” Mrs Llodra said. “He is insightful and dedicated. We share a common vision of Newtown’s bright future and are committed to the planning and policies that support progress toward that goal.”

Mr Rodgers said there were too many high points during his tenure as selectman to focus on any specific events or achievements, but he said his continuing service advising the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation was rewarding for a number of reasons.

“Serving the foundation gave me a vantage point to see the best in so many people following out Sandy Hook tragedy,” Mr Rodgers said. “A number of people who didn’t have the highest regard for Will Rodgers politically put those feelings aside when it came to pulling together to help initiate our recovery.”

In her announcement, Mrs Llodra described seven core values that provide the framework for much of the initiatives and planning that have come forward during her three terms as first selectman: fiscal responsibility; public safety; quality of life; excellence in education; responsive customer service; long-term planning; and communication. 

“Considerable progress has been achieved in each of these aspects, and more, despite the challenges of these past years,” she said. “But much more needs to be accomplished for Newtown to truly reap the benefits of these values.”

In the near term, she said, the town is engaged in municipal building and sewer system projects; major road projects, both local and state; new commercial and residential development challenges; a local economy to be nurtured and carefully expanded, and continuing needs for mental health support without an infusion of external funds.

“We are faced with hard questions about Fairfield Hills development; brownfields; school facilities; a community center; police facility and senior center,” the first selectman added. “Demands are mounting for more playing fields and we must, simply must, continue to improve our roads and bridges. All of this while striving to mitigate the tax demands on residential property and finding new approaches for tax relief for senior citizens.”

Though she said the challenges are daunting in scope and substance, Mrs Llodra said those challenges are surpassed by opportunities to do good work for the benefit of the community – work she believes will take Newtown “to that next level in our quality of living.”

“This is a far-reaching agenda, but one that excites and engages me and the Board of Selectmen,” Mrs Llodra concluded. “I hope to continue as your leader along with Selectman Rodgers, and if so graced with that honor again, we pledge to serve with common sense, energy and dedication, always focused on the greater good.”

“I’m feeling re-charged and ready for two more years,” Mr Rodgers added.