Politics & Government

Sworn In: Tesei, Theis, Marzullo Continue Their Tenure At Helm of Greenwich


Written by Sue Rogers.

Sunday afternoon saw a familiar scene for some of Greenwich’s favorite sons as a fifth-generation Greenwich resident was joined by two third-generation residents as they were sworn in as the Greenwich Board of Selectmen at a ceremony held at Town Hall.

Republican Peter Tesei started his fourth term as First Selectman supported by running mate Dave Theis, and Democrat Drew Marzullo, both of whom will be starting their third terms as selectmen. A veritable Who’s Who in Greenwich politics who attended the ceremony including former First Selectmen John Margenot, Richard Bergstresser and Roger Pearson; U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, State Representatives Livvy Floren and Stephen Walko; state Sen. Scott Frantz, and members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation and Board of Education and several Town of Greenwich department heads.

Marzullo was first to be sworn in with Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman presiding. He started his acceptance by citing the unconditional love and support of his mother as well as that of his partner for 21 years, Reynold Jaglal. Marzullo noted that in two weeks the state would be dealing with the first anniversary of the Newtown massacre. He said, “While no words will come close to condemning this act of pure evil, Greenwich stands with you and Governor Malloy during this difficult time. Please take a part of us from our community to the Newtown community and their families who have suffered indescribable loss.”

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The lone Democrat on the board was raised in Chickahominy and graduated from Greenwich High School in 1989. He received his state paramedic license in 1996 and has been with Greenwich Emergency Medical Services for 17 years, rising to become field supervisor in 2007. He also served two terms on the RTM starting in 2005. 

Marzullo recalled “a little over four years ago Greenwich voters took a chance on a rather unknown unfamiliar candidate and granted me the opportunity to serve this great town. And with that privilege came and comes with an ability to participate amongst many capable, well intended people trying to do some good." While accepting that his role involved expressing what many would consider “minority views”, Marzullo stressed “but that’s okay because the minority opinion in Greenwich town government is strong and respected.” 

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Marzullo brought some humor to the ceremony by highlighting one of the publicly nastier, but possibly less significant issues, which the Board of Selectmen has been dealing with explaining that “I look forward to participating in discussion involving town finances, capital projects, charter revision and of course, one of favorite subject, harbor issues.”

Next up was Theis, who like Marzullo also was sworn in for a third term, started by calling out former Democratic First Selectman Roger Pearson, as Sunday marked the 30th anniversary of Pearson’s swearing in. Theis, who was sworn in by childhood friend who’s now a Democratic New York State Supreme Court Justice, William Giacomo, recognized the financial challenges that loom ahead and pledged to “meet the needs of the citizens” while “living within our means” as a town.

In speaking of his colleagues, Theis emphasized Marzullo’s “passion, sense of purpose, sense of humor and honesty.” Theis then claimed that he has “the best job in Town Hall” as he is fortunate to work alongside a “talented, hard-working and patient First Selectman.”

Theis, who works as a private wealth management vice president for a local bank, attended the Greenwich Public Schools and received a B.A. in political science from the University of New Haven.

Theis concluded his acceptance by pledging that the Board of Selectmen would continue to “put Greenwich first” and fulfill their “two-year contract” just renewed by town residents by giving Greenwich “what they want, respect and deserve” by making the town “a premier place to live” as well as “a model for the rest of Connecticut.”

The hour-long ceremony concluded with former Republican First Selectman Rebecca Breed swearing in Tesei, who handily won reelection on Nov. 5 with 73% of the vote, who was joined by his wife Jill and their children, Caroline and James.

In his speech Theis stated that while some refer to Tesei as a “career politician,” he viewed the First Selectman, who has had a very long career in politics, as a “gifted public servant.”

Prior to being elected first selectman in 2007, Tesei, a 5th generation Greenwich resident, and graduate of University of Connecticut, served on the Board of Estimate and Taxation from 1998 to 2007 including as chairman for six of those years. He also served on the Representative Town Meeting from 1988 to 1997 and was a vice president in the Wealth Management Group of BNY/Mellon Wealth Management.

Tesei began his remarks saying, “putting the interests of Greenwich first is more than just a slogan, it is what we do with and for our citizens and will continue to do so for the next two years.”

He highlighted what he said were some of the main areas of focus for his fourth term — continued support for Life Safety Services, maintaining the Town’s investment in the school system, leveraging public/private partnerships such as Friends of Nathaniel Witherell, Greenwich Point Conservancy and the Junior League of Greenwich Byram Park and Pool Project, and improving the town’s use of technology. Echoing consistent Republican themes, he cited maintaining modest and predictable taxes as well as “protecting the Town’s interest from increasing pressure from Federal and State government mandates and schemes which may undermine local autonomy” as critical issues.

Tesei concluded that a review of the Town’s government structure will be undertaken stressing the need for greater competition and choice for local elected officials. While not expressly highlighting the recent elections, recent concerns raised over the political party-based approach to electing both BET and BoE members as well as the election of two non-endorsed candidates to the BoE would seem to underpin his comments. Tesei, “charter reform is not a glamorous issue but warrants consideration in order to maintain the health and vibrancy of our community”.

Tesei, a mainstream Republican, chose the words of a Democrat, President John F Kennedy, to sum up how he wishes the residents of Greenwich treated each other.  Tesei said that “throughout all our efforts we must continue to maintain civility and respect for each other as this is the foundation of our society.” He quoted Kennedy — “So let us begin anew-remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof.”


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