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Thoughtful, Open, and Honest

As the first selectman of Old Saybrook for the last eight years, I want to say that it has been my honor and privilege to serve the town’s residents with Selectman Scott Giegerich and Treasurer Bob Fish. As with any job, there are highs and lows. However, remembering that the town has existed, in one form or another, for 384 years, and will be here for another 384, tends to put things in the proper perspective!

I have met with thousands of residents over the years. Communicating honestly and directly, and with civility, has been a primary focus. If we can’t maintain these qualities in our community, we are no different than Washington or Hartford. Over the last eight years, we have re-shaped your town government: We have revamped a formerly opaque budget process, greatly improved town finances, increased investment in capital projects, revised our Code of Ethics, updated much of the town’s infrastructure, and hired professional staff in town hall that will preserve the positive structural changes that have been made.

Over the next two years, my pledge is to work harder every day to make Old Saybrook better than it was the day before. We have challenges in front of us: a poor state economy with finances that remain shaky, and a difficult Phase III of the town’s wastewater remediation project that must now be addressed. We will address these issues, and all others, as we have done over the past eight years: in a deliberate, thoughtful, open, and honest manner. We will listen to all who wish to partake in our governmental process without regard to party affiliation. That is how our government best works for its citizens.

I thank Old Saybrook’s residents for the opportunity to serve.

First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna, Jr. (R)

Old Saybrook

Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., is seeking re-election in November.