Updated, 5:25 p.m., full story.
NORWALK, Conn. – Harry Rilling began his term as Norwalk’s mayor Tuesday with promises to help make the city a shining star and laughs over words of warning from Gov. Dannel Malloy.
“Harry, you’re about to enter into one of the best jobs you can possibly have in politics,” said Malloy, the former mayor of Stamford said to Norwalk’s former police chief. “… It’s a little bit different than being the head of the police. Most people won’t salute you. They absolutely will not follow your orders.”
The ceremony in the packed City Hall community room also included the swearing in ceremony for Town Clerk Rick McQuaid, Rilling’s grandchildren and several thank yous to former Mayor Richard Moccia for his years of “good stewardship” of the city, including one solid round of applause.
Rilling’s first words to the public as mayor were ones he said are now his signature response for an event of such import.
“Wow, wow, wow,” he said, repeating something he said after winning election two weeks ago.
The Democrat promised not to disappoint Norwalk citizens and said he had already met with developers in an effort to grow the grand list and take the burden off of Norwalk taxpayers.
Rilling spent the morning touring Norwalk, having breakfast with Norwalk firefighters, visiting the North American headquarters of Diageo and some of Norwalk’s youngest citizens, in assemblies at West Rocks Middle School – which he attended as a child – and Fox Run Elementary School.
“The faces on the students at Fox Run and West Rocks show us the future,” he said. “We must focus on them each and every day. It is with this spirit that I join the efforts of our superintendent, Dr. Rivera, city educators and our Board of Education to make our schools the world class institutions they can be, where every child has the opportunity to learn and be a success.”
He held up his arm to show off a green band, saying he he had promised West Rocks students he would wear it.
The crowd included many members of the incoming Common Council, on which the Republican caucus holds an 8-7 majority.
“During the next two years we will be faced with many challenges, but with each challenge comes opportunity,” he said. “Opportunity to produce results and confirm that we are worthy of the positions to which we have been elected. … I look forward to working with both Democrats and Republicans on the council in a non-partisan relationship, keeping in mind our goal is to positively impact the lives of all of our citizens and others who want to make Norwalk their home as well.”
Some new faces in the crowd included Rilling campaign “super volunteer” Michael Campbell, who called the ceremony “very awesome.”
Ken Troy said he had come because he remembered Rilling’s 42 years of service in the police department.
“He should be a good mayor for the town,” he said.
Olive Hayward said she was attending her first inaugural because Rilling is her neighbor and she is thrilled to have a Democratic mayor.
“I think with his attitude, the fact that he’s been with the police force, the firefighters, and he has all the support to help him do things to make the city much more livable,” she said. “Because we moved from Westchester back in ’88 and Norwalk is one of our favorite cities. We do see a lot of progress taking place in Norwalk. Our kids got educated here in Norwalk and I just think it’s a beautiful place to live.”
Norwalk is on solid footing, Rilling said, a home base to some of the best companies in the world, with proximity to New York City and beautiful beaches and parks.
“It’s now time to build on that,” he said. “With the right plans to responsibly develop our city for the 21st century and by embracing our natural beauty and geography, by working to improve our schools and keep our taxes in check – no applause on that one?”
The silent crowd erupted.
“I know that our best days are yet to come,” Rilling continued. “My recipe for getting us there will be by listening, working together and leading us forward so that once again people inside and outside Norwalk say, ‘You see that shining star over there on the hill, that’s Norwalk and isn’t it a beautiful place to work and live?”
Original story:
NORWALK, Conn. – Harry Rilling was sworn in as Norwalk’s 26th mayor Tuesday by Gov. Dannel Malloy in a jam-packed City Hall community room in a ceremony led by Rilling’s former comrade, retired Norwalk Police Officer Carleton Giles.
The ceremony also included the swearing in ceremony for Town Clerk Rick McQuaid, Rilling’s grandchildren and a thank you to former Mayor Richard Moccia for his years of “good stewardship” of the city.
“Wow, wow, wow,” said Rilling, calling that his signature response for an event of such import. “I take this job very seriously because the future of Norwalk is at stake.”
He promised not to disappoint Norwalk citizens and said he had already met with developers in an effort to grow the grand list and take the burden off of Norwalk taxpayers.
Malloy broke up the room when he warned Rilling that being a mayor is not like being a police chief, that not everyone would salute him now and that no one will be following his orders.
Rilling spent the morning touring Norwalk, having breakfast with Norwalk firefighters, visiting the North American headquarters of Diageo and some of Norwalk’s youngest citizens, in assemblies at West Rocks Middle School – which he attended as a child – and Fox Run Elementary School.
“The faces on the students at Fox Run and West Rocks, they do represent the future,” he said.”We must focus on them each and every day. It is with this spirit that I join the efforts of our superintendent, Dr. Rivera, city educators and our Board of Education to make our schools the world class institutions they can be, for every child has the opportunity to learn and be a success, so people move to Norwalk to educate their children here.”
This story will be updated.
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