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08/08/2017 12:00 AMThe Chester Republican Town Committee is pleased to announce the endorsement of Selectman Carolyn Linn for first selectman and James Grzybowski for selectman in November’s election. Both Linn and Grzybowski received unanimous endorsement at the Town Committee Caucus held on July 24.
Both candidates come with solid backgrounds of service to the community and beyond.
Linn, currently serving on the Board of Selectmen, has worked diligently during her term to investigate and identify billing anomalies connected to Chester’s bulky waste costs, resulting in substantial savings. With improved billing accuracy, the town now has opportunities for controls to improve residential services while still managing costs. Linn seeks to reinstate a greater focus on growing tourism, which generates billions in income statewide. With more local involvement and working with local businesses, the town can capitalize on Chester’s share of that largesse. Actively involved in the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, promoting local businesses, and identifying new opportunities, Linn promotes not only local but regional relationships and the successes those collaborative efforts generate. Working with the town’s Economic Development Commission as liaison to the Board of Selectmen, Linn will continue to promote the town and its businesses and growth.
The Chester Merchant’s Association is a driving force in town. As a longtime member, Linn has worked with members, supporting their activities, events, and the successes generated. All towns survive on the support and work of their volunteers. Linn has been a leader there as well: chairing the 2017 Winter Carnivale, working with the Shoreline Soup Kitchen, serving as EMT for the Chester Ambulance Association, and being one of the three members of the VRHS Touch Down Club that spearheaded the addition of lights, field house, and snack shack to Friday Night Football.
James Grzybowski brings with him an enviable lineage of service to the town. Following in the footsteps of his dad, former selectman Edward Grzybowski, and his godfather (a former selectman, among other roles) Joseph Bergonzi, serving the town is truly in his blood. He has demonstrated leadership and life-long dedication to the town.
He’s currently facilities manager for the Chester Elementary School, but that’s only a small part of his service. He sits on the town’s Retirement Board; is one of the town’s representatives to the Valley Shore Communication Board; and has served in many capacities for 27 years in the Chester Hose Company, including as chief. As chief, Grzybowski has presented budgets that kept the Hose Company proactive and were also mindful of the tax burden his neighbors bore; he helped secure grants of more than $85,000 for the Fire Department.
With two sons active in local sports, Grzybowski coached his sons’ teams and also pushed for concussion training for all youth coaches; in 2013 he was appointed by the state legislature to serve on its Youth Concussion Task Force, charged with making recommendations to enact statutes to better protect youth and increase awareness. Many of the recommendations are in effect today.
Growing up, Grzybowski witnessed the growth of the town while recognizing and appreciating its unique charm. He has the experience, skills, and mindset to bring Chester strong, pro-active, and forward-thinking government leadership.
With 44 years of combined history of service to Chester, Linn and Grzybowski know how to scrutinize budgets line-by-line, identify cost-saving opportunities, and offer practical and new ways to maintain and generate control of costs while responsibly developing and promoting opportunities that can lead Chester to a safe, secure, and affordable future.