I have truly enjoyed being first selectman of Old Saybrook for nearly 12 years. I know that there are those who feel empowered by lodging personal attacks and creating misinformation, even to the extent of fabricating total mistruths to cause political chaos, embarrass and intimidate elected officials, and discourage good people from considering running for office.

Looking at local history, I am not the first to whom they've done this and, if left to their ways, I won't be the last. The negative tactics they employ are the absolute opposite of those I originally campaigned on in 1999 to bring a "positive voice" to Old Saybrook and to develop an outstanding "positive, exemplary community." With the assistance of Bill Peace and Velma Thomas, who served on the Board of Selectmen for a decade, we accomplished so much. If one researches those with a negative opinion on everything and who focus their attacks on me, one finds they represent all that I stand against; they may also be the fronts for those who believe themselves entitled and have been unable to influence this administration.

I don't respond to cowardly blogger(s) who use fake names, nor to letters to the editor signed by the same group: Citizens Against Virtually Everything (CAVE). This is a group to which I listen, if and when it opposes something we're doing, but upon deliberation, have found our position validated. While I, as with other towns' chief elected officials, have to tolerate what would be libelous and slanderous statements, I will not be bullied, but will stand up against that which is wrong and against the town's interest. My administration's vision and accomplishments have been validated by the voters, residents, and business interest of our town as well as by external agencies. Obviously, this doesn't sit well with the CAVE group.

This is a wonderful town with good and just people. The caution I express to the general public is to not be dissuaded from the truth and the best interest of the town. Scratch the surface and you may find those who stay out of the public view have sponsors who contribute to the bad behaviors, for the sponsors have personal as well as political gains at stake.

For those who have supported our efforts with 65 to 70 percent of the vote-not only in my elections, but also in budget referenda and other town-wide votes-I thank you.

The bottom line is that we're a number-one town with strong, competent management despite those who have tried to stop us. I fully understand and can appreciate that not everyone agrees with everything we have accomplished and some have complained that they would have done it differently. The reality is that my administration has resolved issues that were-for decades prior to my taking office-unresolved, dividing the town and costing huge sums. On some matters, hard political decisions were avoided; in others, the financial and organizational skills we brought to this office have had significant benefit to the town and its residents, both now and into the future.

Together, with the collaborative efforts of our various boards and commissions, we have demonstrated that Old Saybrook is a community that has built its foundation on financial responsibility.