“State of Our Town is Strong & Vibrant”

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“In my mind and what I hear from the people of this town, the state of our town is strong and vibrant,” said First Selectman Peter Tesei.

Monday afternoon First Selectman Peter Tesei addressed business owners, non-profit leaders and community members during his State of the Town address at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. The event was hosted by the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce.

In his remarks, the First Selectmen touched upon several topics including education, construction and the community as a whole.

“We have been able to launch planning for construction of a new elementary school in Byram. This comes on the heels of having rebuilt two other schools,” said First Selectman Tesei. “We recently opened Cos Cob Park which offers residents walking trails, the aesthetics of Long Island Sound and of course the athletic fields our children so desperately need.

First Selectman Tesei also made a plea to the audience regarding the support of non-government organizations during these difficult economic times.

“11,000 of our residents are employed but unable to put basic food on their tables because of the jobs they presently hold in this tough economic environment in which they live. I take this opportunity to say to you that when you think about Greenwich, and you think about the broad multicultural and diverse population, know that there are people that need the help – a hand up not a hand out – to maintain their life here and to support us in some of the jobs they do perform. Their support comes from non-government organizations and that’s the path that has served us well because frankly, non-government organizations provide services far more directly and efficiently than a government bureaucracy can.”

This year, attendees heard from one resident about why Greenwich was special to her.

“Greenwich is the first Town where I was appreciated,” said Pamela Orr. “My family was appreciated. I was so willing to give back, the only thing I really needed was a chance and this Town gave me the chance to give back.”

Orr concluded her remarks saying “I finally feel home.”

The First Selectman also answered questions after his remarks. Questions included the issue of overcrowding at Tod’s Point during the summer and if the Town would every become a city. A question about the new Central Fire Station was also asked.

“We need a modernized central fire facility because the other one became obsolete. We need to be able to accommodate all the necessary apparatus that is compliance with all the various standards of OCEA and NFPA which is the National Fire Protection Agency, to be able to respond in a timely matter, to protect the people who work in those buildings and the property itself. I think it is long overdue, it was established in the 40s and it met its useful life and it is an investment,” said Tesei.

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