Former Selectman Swings Into Fairfield History Books

Town and state officials gathered early Monday evening to honor the late Carl Dickman, a former Fairfield Selectman and State Representative.

Henceforth the Par 3 Golf Course on Old Dam Road will be called the Carl J. Dickman Par 3 Golf Course. It’s an appropriate name since the golf course not only lies in Dickman’s former legislative district, but because the former politician was an avid golfer as well, said interim First Selectman Michael Tetreau.

“We’re here to honor one of the great statesman of Fairfield, Connecticut and the country,” Tetreau said.

No matter ones’ political persuasion, everyone involved in Fairfield government looked to Dickman as a mentor and guide, Tetreau said.

Selectman James Walsh seconded the sentiment.

“He was a bipartisan. Carl always wanted good government,” Walsh said. 

Dickman spent nearly 40 years in public service. He served in the Navy and was deployed to Korea during the Korean War. 

His ability to reach across the aisle didn't go unnoticed during the ceremony. State Rep. Brenda Kupchick (R-132) called Dickman a mentor.

And so it's fitting that the newly renamed golf course is a stone’s throw from the John J. Sullivan Town Hall, said State Sen. John McKinney (R-26). The former elected official embodied the meaning of bi-partisanship, McKinney said.

“And as someone who can walk to the Par 3 Golf Course, I love seeing his name here,” McKinney said.

After Dickman died last February at age 84, the Fairfield Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance Chair Tom Flynn wanted to find a way to honor Dickman’s years of service to the town and its residents. Last April, after input from the Golf Commission, the Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to rename the Par 3 Golf Course. 

Dickman served as President of the H. Smith Richardson Golf Club, President of the New England Public Golf Association and was also a member of the Golf Course Expansion Committee.