An Emotional Goodbye To West Hartford's Town Clerk

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The West Hartford Town Council's last meeting was a bittersweet one as local officials formally bid adieu to retiring West Hartford Town Clerk Essie Labrot.

West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor issued a proclamation honoring Labrot for her 15 years serving as the guardian of the town's records vault and elections ballots, among other duties.

Labrot announced her retirement in January and Democrat Leon Davidoff was appointed to take her place for the remainder of her term, with a run for a term of his own likely in November.

Davidoff was a longtime council member who recently resigned to take over his new duties.

In addition, state Sen. Derek Slap, D-West Hartford, presented Labrot with a citation honoring her for her work.

Proclamations and citations aside, the biggest tributes flowed from the mouths of local leaders.

"I knew this day was coming ... but this is the last meeting that she will be present," Cantor said prior to reading aloud the proclamation. "Essie has been such a star. It is with great pleasure and heartbreak that I share this proclamation."

Cantor cited Labrot's award-winning past, one that includes the 2017 Connecticut Town Clerk of the Year Award by the Connecticut Town Clerks Association.

She also credited Labrot for improvements and efficiancies within the office, one that has evolved rapidly as the business of record-keeping, licenses and elections continues to change.

Labrot thanked those in attendance, then credited her longtime colleagues during her nearly four-term run as town clerk.

"This has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, but the transformation of this office and the accomplishments were not done by me alone." Labrot said. "I've had an exceptional staff that has worked alongside of me."

Labrot, especially, cited the town's response to all of the challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We made it through a very difficult period of time with the least amount of disruption to government services," Labrot said.

Slap said he was representing West Hartford's full legislative delegation in the capitol in delivering his citation.

"The town doesn't work without you. Democracy doesn't work without you and your efforts," Slap said.

Republicans on the other side of the political aisle also expressed kind words to the Democratic clerk.

"I think we all echo the same sentiments regarding Essie that we wish her well and wish her the best wishes on her retirement," said West Hartford Town Council Minority Leader Mary Fay. "But we're very sad and will miss her expertise and her smiling face, keeping all of us on track each and every week for all our meetings and our council meetings."

Said Councilman Mark Zydanowicz, also a Republican: "You've been a good steward for West Hartford and I know people appreciate that. Your hard work has never gone unnoticed."

For the minutes of the March 8 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

From Jan. 27: 'Council Appoints One Of Its Own To Be West Hartford Town Clerk'