Governor Swears In Llodra,

Elected Officials In Brief Ceremony

By John Voket

The punctuation mark on a weekend full of activity at the town’s new Municipal Center revealed itself to be an exclamation point followed by a standing ovation as Governor M. Jodi Rell swore an incoming administration of local officials into office early Monday.

Following a public open house and ceremonial ribbon cutting Saturday (see separate story), Monday’s overcast skies did nothing to darken the mood of incoming officials who hurried excitedly into a packed council chamber ahead of the governor.

Arriving on schedule and accommodating a throng of admirers, many looking to snap pictures beside her, Gov Rell was escorted into the newly occupied seat of local government by members of the Second Governor’s Horse Guard unit, which is based in Newtown.

Students from the Newtown High School Chamber Orchestra, who provided pre- and postceremony entertainment, quieted and the audience was led through the Pledge of Allegiance by Horse Guard Major Gordon Johnson.

Representative DebraLee Hovey, serving as the event’s host, took to the podium to introduce Kayla Koschel, who performed the national anthem without accompaniment. Then the gathered officials, family members, and Representative Chris Lyddy settled in for some additional remarks from Rep Hovey.

She said the swearing-in ceremonies marked the “beginning of new things, fresh perspectives,” giving the incoming administration members a few moments to “reflect on their role as individuals and as part of a team.”

Paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln’s assertion that “A statesman is he who thinks in the future generations, and a politician is he who thinks in the upcoming elections,” Rep Hovey implored the incoming officials to serve as statesmen and not politicians.

Mrs Llodra took a few moments to also welcome everyone who turned out for the midmorning festivities, and particularly, the governor.

“Your presence here is a reminder to all of us of the importance of public service,” Mrs Llodra said. “Strength of character, wisdom, honesty, and sincere commitment to the general welfare have been the hallmarks of your work as a community leader in Brookfield, as state representative, as lieutenant governor, and as our beloved Connecticut governor since 2004. We are a better Connecticut because of your leadership.”

The incoming first selectman said she was proud to accept the mantle of leadership of Newtown’s government and that she is eager to begin that work.

“I am proud also to be doing that work with all of the other elected officials,” Mrs Llodra continued. “I know that we share a mutual commitment to the greater good; that we will engage in our leadership work with respect for each other and with openness to new ideas, that our relationships will be characterized by candor and by true recognition that each person brings value to the effort. That we do not fear the challenges ahead; we will be courageous, steadfast, and overall seek always the right answer for Newtown’s benefit.”

Outgoing First Selectman Joe Borst then introduced Howard Lasher, a September 11 survivor who lost several friends that morning in 2001. He presented Mrs Llodra with an image of several trees on his property that were painted soon after the tragedy to simulate an American flag.

Mr Borst then took a few minutes to look back on his term as the culmination of 50 years of political service to the community.

“I enjoyed every minute of it,” Mr Borst said. Looking toward Mrs Llodra seated beside the podium, he said, “The job of the first selectman is to provide guidance and to take the heat when things don’t go right.”

He then thanked many of the town employees, department heads, and volunteers by name for their service to the community.

“I love ‘em all,” Mr Borst concluded, before thanking his wife Barbara, his “loving and loyal first lady.”

At that point in the program, Major Johnson presented Gov Rell with a medal designed by Sergeant Paul Mazzara, who recently wrapped up a tour of active military duty in Afghanistan.

Holding the medal up proudly, Gov Rell took to the microphone to admit, “I always claimed the Second Company as my own.” She then told the audience that despite the fact that many incoming local administrations would be seated in the coming weeks, she was only officiating at two swearing-in ceremonies — in Newtown, and neighboring Monroe later that morning.

She then brought Mrs Llodra to the podium to administer the oath of office, before turning to about three dozen incoming officials seated throughout the audience who were identified by Rep Hovey and led that group through their oath en masse.

As the ceremony concluded, Rep Hovey said she was very excited to be part of welcoming in the new administration, and particularly Mrs Llodra.

“She really brings a special kind of vitality to the position, which I think is very important for the community right now,” Rep Hovey said.

 Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia, who helped organize the event, gave credit to all the volunteers and town hall staff members who helped “pull together such a lovely ceremony in such a short time.”

Following the ceremony, Ms Llodra told The Newtown Bee that Monday’s swearing-in ceremony was a perfect way to “jumpstart” the work of a new administration.

“I felt so proud to be a part of the event and to be surrounded by so many other elected officials with whom I will serve for the next two years,” Mrs Llodra said. “The tone was uplifting and celebratory and seemed to promise success for all of us newly elected officials as we begin the hard work together of addressing Newtown’s challenges. We are good people who will serve with honor and integrity.”