By Tony Lynch
I half-jokingly refer to Lyme as “Lynch’s last stand”. I’m a refugee from Greenwich, Southport and Glastonbury. All three of those towns were bucolic farming communities when generations of my family moved to them. All three are now densely populated suburbs, with attendant traffic, chain stores and restaurants.
Most of us likely moved here because we cherish the wide open spaces, light traffic and the absence of traffic lights, stores, restaurants and industry. With careful stewardship on the part of our town government and volunteer organizations, Lyme stands a good chance of remaining as pastoral as it is today.
Lyme also has one of the lowest property tax mill rates in the state, yet through careful fiscal managment, has still been able to complete a Town Hall and Library project, convert the landfill to a transfer station, and support the Lyme Land Conservation Trust and the Nature Conservancy in preserving open space. This year, our leaders also had the foresite to anticipate that the state would cut it’s contribution to the education budgets of towns like ours. As a result, we are one of few towns in the state that were not surprised by that development and thus didn’t have to increase local taxes to compensate.
This past July, after more than two decades of excellent leadership, our First Selectman, Ralph Eno, retired. We now have the opportunity and responsibility to elect a successor who will continue to shepherd our town in a similar way.
Which leads to my unequivocal endorsement of Mark Wayland for First Selectman. Mark is a 3rd generation native of Lyme whom I have come to know and respect as a fellow leader of Lyme-Old Lyme Boy Scout Troop 26. In the years that we served together, Mark demonstrated excellent leadership skills, uncompromising ethics and a natural ability to foster teamwork among our youth and adults. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Mark completed Wood Badge training, Scouting’s pinnacle adult leadership program that only a small percentage of leaders complete. The curriculum emphasizes project management, conflict resolution, listening, mentoring and team development – all essential skills for a First Selectman. Mark rose through the ranks and currently serves as the Troop’s Scoutmaster. He also serves as a Selectman in Lyme and as a volunteer with the Lyme Fire Company.
Mark recently commented that “I knew at an early age how special our town is, and I want to keep it that way for future generations to enjoy as much as I have”. Together with Selectman Parker Lord, I believe Mark will succeed to our great benefit.
Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent voter (like me), I urge you to come out and vote on Tuesday and join me in electing Mark Wayland as our First Selectman and Parker Lord as Selectman to continue the excellent leadership our town has enjoyed for many years.
