Council Salutes Three of Its Own

Town Councilor Sharon Wadecki had some parting words for three of her colleagues this week, beginning with Councilor David Holdridge, who had left the board before during his eight terms of council service, only to return.

"I suspect he won't be coming back, that this time his retirement is for real," Wadecki said at Wednesday's meeting, the last for Holdridge, Chairman Terry Jones and Jim Diaz, who has chaired the council's finance committee.

But should Holdridge change his mind, she added, he would be welcomed back.

Holdridge first served on the council in the late 1970s. He can been seen in many, if not most, of the faded photographs that hang on the walls of the council chambers.

Wadecki said she started her council service the same year as Jones, in 1995. "We started together. We won't end together," she said said, somewhat whistfully.

But her most heart-felt words were for Diaz, her finance committee colleague.

"I just love him to death," she said. "But he'll be back. He'll be so bored in two years."

Diaz served two terms on the council after serving two terms on the Board of Education. "It was a great experience working with people of this caliber," he said. "I just might be back, because I'm missing it already."

"We didn't always agree, but we were never partisan, and I am really proud of that," said Councilor Linda Davis, speaking of 20th town council, which included Holdridge, Jones and Diaz. "I will miss this council."

Holdridge thanked his fellow councilors. Speaking for Jones, Diaz and himself, he said, "We're going to be watching you."

Jones congratulated the three new council members – Steve Eichelberg, Kevin Dombrowski and Mike France – all of whom were in attendance. He offered  special thanks to council asssistant Roxanne Maher. "You made my job easy with your dedication to the job," he said.

"It's been my honor to serve as chairman, and a pleasure to work with the 20th council. You should be very proud of what we've accomplished," Jones said. "We started with a full plate. We didn't get it all done, but we got a lot of it done."

And to the the next council he added, "I hope you will contnue to show the same energy and enthusiasm on behalf of the people of Ledyard."