Rilling Sworn In For Fifth Term As Mayor Of Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — Weeks after his victory on Election Day earlier this month, Mayor Harry Rilling was sworn in for his fifth term in office during a special ceremony Tuesday.

Members of the community, local clergy and city and state officials gathered outside City Hall for the event, during which Town Clerk Rick McQuaid and members of the Norwalk Common Council were also sworn into office.

Reverend Lindsay Curtis, a pastor for Grace Baptist Church, provided opening remarks and hosted the event, while Reverend Elizabeth Abel from Cornerstone Community Church delivered the invocation.

Judge of Probate Douglas Stern administered the oath of office to Rilling, whose wife, siblings and other family members were in attendance. During his remarks, the mayor noted it was overwhelming to see so many people at the ceremony and vowed to continue to work for the benefit of Norwalk and its residents.

"As we embark on these two years," Rilling said, "my commitment is to continue to serve, to do everything I can, to work with our newly elected council [and] our Board of Education to make sure that Norwalk continues to grow, continues to be the best city in all of Fairfield County, and indeed all of Connecticut...we have an amazing city here, a diverse city, and we want to make sure that we do right by the people that put us in this position."

Rilling also thanked outgoing council members for their work and dedication, especially during a particularly challenging couple of years due, in part, to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

"It's been a pleasure working with you on behalf of this amazing city," Rilling said. "I know it's a thankless job, I know you don't get paid very much, but you did your job, you did it to the best of your ability and you did it with your heart, and I appreciate it."

While he noted the city can celebrate a number of accomplishments over the past few years, Rilling said there was "so much more to do" and called on returning and newly-elected council members to take that responsibility seriously.

"This is an important job that has been thrust upon us," Rilling said. "The job that the people expect us to do everything we possibly can to make this city continue to grow in the right direction, to be a great city and to serve the public with all our heart and soul."

Rilling said being elected to a fifth term is validation Norwalk residents have confidence in him and other city officials.

"The past [year and a half] has been extremely challenging for all of us," Rilling said, "trying to make the decisions that we know are right but sometimes very difficult and not very popular, but that's why we get elected; to do what's right, not necessarily what's popular."

Last week, McQuaid said every swearing-in ceremony he takes part in is both an honor and humbling for him.

"For the residents and the Democratic and Republican parties to believe in me to be their town clerk is an awesome feeling," McQuaid said in an email to Patch, "and one I never take lightly."

McQuaid also acknowledged his staff, whom he said makes coming to work and getting his job done each week so much easier.

"I love my job as town clerk," McQuaid said, "and try to bring my knowledge of being born and raised in Norwalk to everyone who needs help in our office."