Although the phrase “of the people, by the people, for the people” is often attributed to the Constitution of the United States, it actually is from President Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. I can think of no place where these words are more exemplified than at the level of local government. Each election cycle local candidates run for various Boards and Commissions on platforms that directly relate to local issues. These individuals are not professional politicians, but citizens who are willing to volunteer their time in order to make a difference in their communities.

As a result of last month’s election, there are many new faces on our local boards. I thought it would be a fitting time to say thank you to all of those who are no longer serving. With the exception of Selectman, all of these positions are volunteers. The members put in countless hours, often have to deal with difficult situations and sometimes are subjected to unwarranted criticisms. Whether you have served on the Board of Education, the Board of Finance, Planning and Zoning, the Board of Selectman or any other elected position, I want to thank you for your time, your commitment to the community, your willingness to be involved and for the individual sacrifices you made to make a difference in Willington.

To all of those who lost in your bid for positions in local government, I want to thank you for taking the initiative to get involved and for all of your contributions to the dialogue about how best to have an effective and efficient system. I encourage all of you to stay involved in the dialogue. Your contributions are necessary.

For all of the newly elected officials I want to congratulate you on your victory and thank you for your commitment to our town. Party affiliations, campaign rhetoric, and personal agendas will soon become obscured by the difficult task of getting by with less and still providing the services needed to operate a small town. Working together, in spite of our differences, will certainly be a viable course for success. I wish all of you well in your new positions.

Many citizens who for a variety of reasons are unable to run for office contribute by attending meetings and sharing their concerns, expressing satisfaction when warranted and offering suggestions when appropriate. You are also an essential ingredient in this “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Without you there is not enough feedback to allow the system to modify and adjust as needed. Thank you for taking the time to get involved.

I encourage others who have not attended a meeting to come out and experience your local government at work. Keep in mind that these are your neighbors who have decided to commit their time and energy in an effort to help our community. They deserve your support and constructive feedback.

Be sure to check out our website www.willingtonpublicschools.org for updates on a variety of topics.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.