Reprinted from The Trumbull Times © Copyright 2009
December 10, 2009

By Donald Eng

In his first public comments as first selectman, Timothy Herbst acknowledged the challenges his administration has ahead, and looked to his past for inspiration.

Herbst told the crowd of about 600 inside Madison Middle School's auditorium that the date of his inauguration, Dec. 7, had special meaning for his family.

"On Dec. 7, 1917, my great grandmother arrived in this country at Ellis Island," he said. "She would soon find herself a widowed single mother raising three children in the South End of Bridgeport during the Great Depression."

With his grandmother and great-uncle, two of the three children his great-grandmother raised alone, in attendance, Herbst touted their accomplishments.

"Their perseverance not only gives me strength, but serves as a constant reminder that no challenge is too great and no obstacle is too big if you have the will and the heart to overcome adversity."

Herbst's comments were the highlight of the town's swearing in ceremony. The event served as a ceremonial beginning of the new administration, though Herbst and Town Clerk Suzanne Burr Monaco had actually taken their official oaths of office about 19 hours earlier, shortly after midnight.

Former Bridgeport Mayor Mary Moran, who led the Pledge of Allegiance, also commented upon the significance of the date, citing the anniversary of the first U.S. battle of World War II and the memory of the veterans of that war.

"Because of them, we can all live in freedom and peace," she said.

After administering the oath to Monaco, state Rep. T.R. Rowe, R-123rd District, also commented on the four former Trumbull first selectmen present at the ceremony. The four, Paul Timpanelli, Dave Wilson, Ken Halaby and outgoing First Selectman Ray Baldwin, symbolized what is best about Trumbull, Rowe said.

"One of the greatest things about this town s the continuity within the community," Rowe said.

He praised Wilson especially for his dedication to developing recreational park land in town that thousands of residents enjoy on a yearly basis.

Rowe also praised Baldwin's record of service to the town as the audience applauded.

"Ray has served this town in so many capacities, as police officer, town attorney, Board of Finance member, town councilman and first selectman," Rowe said. "He has been gracious and gave us many years of hard work, and we will continue to benefit from many of his policies."

Judge Dale Radcliffe, who administered the oath to Herbst, compared the event to another turning point in American history: The inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.

"Many people remember that he said we should ask not what our country can do for us, but rather, ask what we can do for our country," Radcliffe said. "But in that same speech, he also said that the torch had been passed to a new generation of leaders. Tonight, the torch is passed to Trumbull's new generation."

Taking the podium, Herbst paused to thank his family and Baldwin, then outlined his plan for Trumbull's future, beginning with the school board.

"Tonight, I call on our Board of Education to be a willing partner and work with us in a collaborative manner," he said. "We need to pool our resources and consolidate our bidding practices to get the best value at the best price for the Trumbull taxpayer."

Herbst also announced a plan to update the Town Charter.

"If we want to fundamentally restructure how our town government operates, we must start by bringing substantive reform to the town's essential fabric — the Town Charter," he said. "If we learned anything from this election, the ultimate power still rests in the hands of the people."

In the next 100 days, Herbst said his highest priority is establishing a Charter Revision Committee, which will require action by the Town Council. He also urged the Board of Finance to hire an internal auditor with broad autonomy and to develop a long-term capital improvement plan "grounded in the reality of the economic conditions we now face."

Finally, Herbst challenged the Planning & Zoning Commission to modernize Trumbull Center, play an active role in revitalizing Westfield mall, entice businesses to relocate to the Merritt Boulevard corporate park and promote responsible development on Reservoir Avenue and Lindeman Drive.

"There is no question we are facing tremendous challenges," he said. "There is no question there is much work to be done."

But Herbst said he had confidence in the community's willingness to work for the common good.

"Tonight, as we embark upon this era of renewal for our community, let us work together to make sure that the reality of Trumbull lives up to the promise of Trumbull," he said.