Tesei Endorsed By Greenwich Republican Town Committee For First Selectman Run

GREENWICH, CT — First Selectman Peter Tesei was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Greenwich Republican Town Committee Tuesday night to seek a record sixth term as the town's top elected official.

The popular five-term incumbent will be joined on the ticket by fellow Republican Selectman John Toner, who is seeking his second full term, reports the Greenwich Time. Two years ago, the pair won handily, capturing better than 70 percent of the vote.

Tesei did not face a Republican challenger for the nomination and was endorsed by a voice vote. He will run against attorney Sandy Litvack, who received the nomination last week from Greenwich Democrats to run for First Selectman.

Below is the full text of First Selectman Tesei's thank you remarks on receiving the party's nomination:

Thank you, State Representative [Livvy] Floren and State Senator [L. Scott] Frantz for your respective speeches. I appreciate your steadfast support and value our continued friendship.

My gratitude to the Republican Town Committee for reaffirming their trust and confidence in me to continue to serve our beloved Town of Greenwich as your First Selectman. It is an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Greenwich.

Two years ago, we predicted that the mismanagement of our State’s finances by the Democratic Governor and the Democratic controlled legislature presented a threat to our Town residents and businesses.

Consecutive income tax increases on individuals and businesses, along with runaway unfunded pension
liabilities have Connecticut teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.

Fortunately, last year the people of Connecticut began to turn the tide and increased the Republican representation in the State Senate and State House. Our delegation-Scott, Livvy, Mike and Fred are focused on saving Connecticut and protecting Greenwich from these crippling financial policies.

Locally, we continue to be proactive in controlling the cost of our local government despite the growing loss of State revenue, and the exodus of residents and businesses who contributed generously to our civic life through their philanthropy and commerce.

This year my administration presented and the BET/RTM ultimately approved a budget that resulted in the LOWEST rate of increase in the mill rate in decades.

This result was not by happenstance. Rather, it came from sound planning, balancing competing objectives, and working to maintain the delivery of services to our residents that they have come to expect. In fact, the 2016 Citizen Satisfaction Survey once again reflected high satisfaction with Town-provided services.

We continue to streamline our operations through technology such as full integration of the Human Resource Information System (ADP), consolidation of internal services such as the Town & Board of Education print shops. Presently there is a process improvement training Initiative utilizing the Lean Six Sigma business problem solving practices. We have established an accompanying cross functional Steering Committee with participation by Planning & Zoning, Information Technology, Public Works, Human Resources, the BET and the Office of the First Selectman to guide this process improvement activity.

Greenwich continues to remain a safe and vibrant community for people to live, work and raise their families. SafeWise Security, in 2017, ranked Greenwich as the Safest Cities to Raise a Child. This is because we place a priority on life safety, the support of our public schools, diverse recreational facilities and providing for the health and well-being of our most vulnerable residents.

Greenwich’s greatest strength and resource is our citizens and their active civic engagement and support for what I like to describe at “Triple P” -- - public-private partnerships.

“Triple P” has benefited residents from birth to the golden years and it reflects Greenwich’s legacy as a generous and caring community.

Prior to my tenure as First Selectman and continuing through it, I have championed and continued to foster
these partnerships and advancing them for the greater benefit of our Town. This requires knowing the community and understanding its character and that of each neighborhood.

As we approach 2020 and with all of the issues before us, it is important to have leaders who have a demonstrated commitment to our Town and our residents.

I look forward to working with Selectman John Toner, a trusted friend and colleague, as we continue to put the interests of Greenwich First.

Thank you, and best wishes to all who are stepping up to volunteer their service to our Town.

Photo: Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei speaking at a Nathaniel Witherell luncheon in 2015. Photo credit: Contributed