Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Thank you, Cheshire. Au revoir -- until we meet again

I’d like to announce tonight that I’m resigning from the Town Council, effective October 24.

I am resigning from the Council because I have accepted a position as the Director of Administration and Finance for the
Haitian Health Foundation. HHF is headquartered in Norwich, CT, but I will be living and working in Haiti for the next year or two.

Having just spent time in Haiti,* one of the poorest nations in the world, I was again reminded of my appreciation for America’s freedoms and material abundance that we so often take for granted.

I was deeply moved by the tragedy of the earthquake and wanted to do more than just donate money. I’ve never been particularly concerned with making a lot of money, as much as I’m concerned with trying to make a difference for the common good.

I wanted to personally contribute the best of my skills. Having lived in the developing world – I lived in Vietnam from 1995 to 1998 – I know I’d be comfortable living in Haiti. And having studied in Paris, my French language skills will be helpful.

My position with HHF will allow me to contribute my CPA skills as their director of finance, and to do humanitarian work directly with many Haitian people in the field.

I have loved serving the residents of the fourth district and all of Cheshire.

I have been most motivated by the basic principles of good government: accountability, transparency, responsiveness and effective long-term planning.

During my seven years on the Council, I’ve strived to bring each of these to you with some success.

At times, some may have thought that I was harsh on management. But that’s because the taxpayers have little tolerance for waste and mismanagement and they want people held accountable for their actions. Times are tough and we need to use our tax dollars wisely. Having reduced the number of town take-home vehicles is one of the ways in which I’ve helped to reduce wasteful spending.

I’ve also tried to increase transparency in local government, successfully advocating the addition of Council meeting video to the town website and increasing the use of new media by the town, including the forthcoming addition of Council meetings and government channels to AT&T’s U-verse.

And I’ve tried to be responsive. Besides policy issues, I have a list of about 30 outstanding constituent concerns. When my replacement is named, I’ll contact him or her to ensure a smooth transition of your concerns. And if you’re interested in serving the fourth district, please contact the Republican Chairman, Adam Grippo.

More effective long-term planning is another improvement we’ve seen. From modernizing the town’s pension plans, to comprehensively addressing the approach taken by the Public Works department, and with various other projects, we’re making solid progress for Cheshire’s future.

As for my blog
, it’s really a diary of sorts. I expect to continue posting on it, but I don’t expect to focus on local issues. If you want to stay in touch or learn more about my time in Haiti, you can still visit my blog or friend me on Facebook!

Finally, during my four terms in the 17th through 20th Councils, I’ve served with 17 different Council members. I thank all of you. I thank all town employees for your work. I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me this time. I thank the voters of the 4th district for giving me the opportunity to serve you. And I especially thank my two biggest supporters – thanks mom and dad.

But this isn’t a goodbye forever. This is just au revoir – until we meet again.

God bless you all and God bless America.

Tim White

* See here, here and here.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the great job serving the residents of the fourth. No one has worked harder and knocked on more doors than you.

Tim White does truly listen but he has also spoken his mind and registered his concerns on our behalf throughout his service to his fellow residents.

I will miss Tim on the Council. He has always been a tireless worker who has kept his ear to your concerns despite some tough criticism from all quarters. Tim has been on your side every time.

Good Luck in your latest challenge. I can't see a year and half in Haiti as anything but that. That speaks to your character and your desire to do good for your fellow man.

Keep your blog (diary) going. It will be our notebook as well as yours.

As for the next council member representing the fourth you had better be up to the task. Tim White has set a very high standard. Your constituents in the fourth will have very high expectations.

Thank you Tim and may God bless you on your latest mission.

Your friend and Town Council colleague,

Tim Slocum

Anonymous said...

I didn't know that Christmas really does come early!!

Anonymous said...

Tim! Cheshire won't be the same without you! You certainly can be proud of your fearless advocacy and hard work. All the best...Diane Visconti

Anonymous said...

Without you and your blog, I fear the coming darkness. I can see the special interests will be thrilled and they can confidently go about their business with little fear that will know what they are doing.

Yes, they will think Christmas came early.

Thank you Tim for having kept us informed. We will miss you.

Anonymous said...

Cheshire's fourth district is a widow.
God bless you for your selfless service,
both to Cheshire and the poor.
(MS)

Breachway said...

Wow - Tim,Best of luck. I have to say that this blog has been the main driver behind my following local politics and keeping up with what is going on. It has pushed me to attend meetings, get involved in the elections and really focus on whats been important to Cheshire. The above blogger is right that I already feel like we are going to know less about what is really going on in Town. Best of luck Tim.

Mother Teresa said...

12:42 AM said,
I didn't know that Christmas really does come early!!

Yes, Christmas is coming early this year for some of the least fortunate people on earth -- in the form of Tim's selfless humanitarian service.

12:42's little, little comment seems politically gloating. What has he/she done lately to improve the human condition?

Tony Perugini said...

Tim W,

You will be sorely missed. Is there anything I can do to help keep this BLOG going?

I commend you for undertaking a worthy and noble endeavor.

Thank you for all of your hard work over the years.

Tony Perugini

Anonymous said...

Tim,

It's great to see you moving on to bigger and better things. All my best. I look forward to updates!

Craig H

Anonymous said...

I guess the district will be represented by an adult now

Anonymous said...

Tim,

Congratulations on your new position. I admire your willingness to leave the comforts of Cheshire and the United Ststes to do humanitarian work in Haiti.

Thank you for your service to Cheshire. I wish you the best in this challenging endeavor.

Louis Todisco

Cedar Lane said...

Tim, thank you for a job well done, and God bless your humanitarian work ahead.

Just ignore the few petty snippers on this page. You and them are both described in this quote...

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
-- Theodore Roosevelt

Anonymous said...

When is your last council meeting?

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Tim, for your service on the council and the fourth district! Your blog has helped keep many people informed of the issues. Thanks for all the tough questions you put out there, for trying to keep people honest, and for listening to your constituents. You will be missed. Not many people would give up what they have to do what you're doing. Good luck in your new endeavors!
Sue Z.

Anonymous said...

I am sad for Cheshire but happy for you and the people you'll be helping in Haiti. Take care, Tim!

Anonymous said...

Tim
Thanks so much for all you have done for this community. The people of Haiti will be well served by you.
It will be difficult for those of us who have frequented your blog to find out what was going on in this town. I am hoping that Tony and maybe Tim S. will step up and continue to keep us informed in the manner that we have grown accustom to.
Whether you agreed with Tim or disagreed with him, you still came to this site to get the truth.

To the naysayers, you will be sorry that Tim will be gone. You may not like his style, but he made the council think. He spoke for many of us, even if we weren't in his district.

Tim, may God bless you on your mission and bring you back safe and stronger. I am sure you will return someday to serve this fine community.
Until then....THANK YOU!

tim white said...

I thank you all -- Tim, Lou, Craig, Sue, Breach, Tony, Cedar and everyone else... even our friendly neighborhood trolls at 12:42 & 4:01!

thrilled said...

Thank you Tim... now who is going to be the whiney little child that sits up there and does nothing but say I could do it better then the town manager. Milone may not be perfect but he is still here taking care of his neighbors not running away. You did nothing here what makes you think you are all of a sudden do something there? So again thank you Tim, thank you for leaving cause this community will be a much better place without you.

Anonymous said...

Too bad Tim's distractors can't be nearly as gracious and magnanimous as Tim. That quote by Teddy Roosevelt sums them up well...
"those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."

Anonymous said...

9:59
Its idiots like you who make me cringe with your ridiculous thoughts.
Why would Milone leave? He makes a pretty goo salary and does what he wants with no accountability. That sounds like an ideal job to me.

When your taxes continue to go up and you have no clue why or what is going on in our town, I wonder if you would feel the same way. Tim will be missed.

I assume you didn't care where our tax dollars were going when all those town employees were allowed to take home town-owned vehicles and drive wherever they want (unless you are one of them).
The majority of this town wants accountability. Not blind leadership.
Perhaps you should look over what Tim has done for this community. It doesn't sound like you have a clue.
We will welcome Tim back with open arms anytime. Lets hope that idiots like 9:59 don't get control while he is gone.

Anonymous said...

If the only legacy Tim leaves behind is the doing away of defined benefit plans, Cheshire will be so much better off fiscally in the future. I dont think this will be his only legacy as this blog is the obvious biggest thing he has done....

Anonymous said...

Tim:

I am sure your detractors here are the same people you have always railed against-- the forces in town who attempt to exert their influence, both political and financial, to see their own gains and personal interests rise over that of Cheshire. To them: posting as "anonymous" here never hid your identities-- when you couple that assumption with your poor grammar and spelling, it is apparent to all who you are.

The challenge for this community is to continue Tim's work. Though you may not agree with all of his perspectives, the needs of the community must prevail over the wishes of the select few in town. The potential loss of Tim's blog is a pleasing thought for these people-- why? Because it is easier for them to operate without a light exposing their actions.

Get involved-- stay involved. This is Cheshire, not (insertfamilynamehere)-ville.

Anonymous said...

This is Cheshire, not POTTERS-ville
thanks to Tim White (aka George Bailey)!

Anonymous said...

Tim,

I just heard the news....Good Luck, be safe.

Aaron Brodbar