“It isn’t easy to be a First Selectman or Mayor in a small town,” according to George R. Temple, but on Saturday he announced that he and his Selectmen running mate, Jeff Haney, would take another shot at it anyway.
Temple and Haney used the Oxford Republican Town Committee’s 2013 Lincoln Dinner at the Molte Bene Restaurant in Ansonia to announce they are running for second, two-year terms.
Temple said their campaign slogan would be “Temple & Haney — Together Again.”
The First Selectman also got a laugh with a practical joke, initially beginning his speech with an announcement that he would not run for re-election before slyly smiling and explaining that was an alternate speech that was written by his wife.
But he got serious when he read his actual remarks from a prepared speech, which was also distributed to the news media.
Temple said the state and federal governments make his job as First selectman more difficult by balancing their budgets at the expense of municipalities.
“They are perfectly willing to tell small towns how to spend their money, but are rarely there to help bear the financial burden,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said being First Selectman is a job he thoroughly enjoys.
“We are setting the wheels in motion that will make our town a showplace that engenders civic pride,” he said. “We look to better serve our younger residents while being mindful of the tax burden borne by our seniors. We are able to point to projects and programs that reflect an eye to the future, but an ear to the past.”
Temple renewed his invitation to Oxford residents to call or visit his office to discuss their concerns, and said he has enjoyed “many frank and productive conversations from all corners of Oxford” during his first term.
A number of other Republican state and local officeholders also attended the dinner, including GOP State Chairman Jerry Labriola, a Naugatuck resident, who stopped by to chat.
Labriola said Temple is one of 95 Republicans who hold office as a town or city chief executive, which represents more than half of the state’s cities and towns.
He stressed that voters in some big cities, such as Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford, have elected Republicans, not just smaller, suburban communities like Oxford, because they appreciate that Republicans would provide “fiscally responsible stewardship.”
A potential candidate for 2014, Peter Lumaj of Fairfield, also attended the gathering.
Lumaj, a lawyer who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2012, said he would announce later this month he would be a candidate for Secretary of the State next year.
A naturalized citizen originally from Albania, Lumaj said he was concerned about reports that people from other states and noncitizens from other nations have been allowed to vote in Connecticut elections, and that Election Day voting irregularities in Bridgeport might have changed the outcome of the 2010 gubernatorial election.
Text of George R. Temple’s announcement:
I want to thank everyone for being here tonight. It has been my privilege to serve as Oxford’s first selectman for the past 15 months.
During that time we have made progress in several significant areas. Some are readily apparent such as the road improvements, high school field, and proposed play scape and library.
Others are not as obvious such as extended business hours in town hall, reestablishing credibility in our tax office, support of our public works department and just being there for the people in difficult times.
As a good Republican, I am always keenly aware of finances and efficiency.
It isn’t always easy to be a First Selectman or Mayor in a small town.
The state and federal government are both willing to balance their budget at the expense of municipal governments. They are perfectly willing to tell small towns how to spend their money but are rarely there to help bear the financial burden.
The job of First Selectman comes with this frustration, but it is a job that I have thoroughly enjoyed doing. We are setting the wheels in motion that will make our town a showplace that engenders civic pride.
We look to better serve our younger residents while being mindful of the tax burden borne by our seniors. We are able to point to projects and programs that reflect an eye to the future, but an ear to the past.
I have not looked at party politics or personal loyalties in selecting employees or board members. My paramount concern has always been the best interest of the town of Oxford. I have encouraged all citizens to feel free to call or drop in at any time to discuss issues that concern them.
As a result of that policy I have enjoyed many frank and productive conversations from all corners of Oxford.
Tonight, I once again ask my party and the citizens of Oxford to support me as I seek re-election as your First Selectman.
I am pleased and proud to announce that Jeff Haney will join me as a candidate for the Board of Selectmen. Jeff epitomizes dedication to the town at personal sacrifice. Our motto will be “Temple & Haney – Together Again.’’
I am proud of Oxford. I know what we can do. I have the heart, the dedication and the willingness to sacrifice and cooperate in order to realize the goals that our Town so richly deserves.
I know that everything is possible when we all continue to work together. Thank you all for your support.