The story was originally posted Sunday evening, April 2, at 9:30 p.m.; it has been updated as of Monday morning.
First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice announced late Sunday, April 2, that she will not be seeking a third term as Wilton’s first selectwoman. She released a statement to GOOD Morning Wilton that said after almost 15 years as an elected official, seven on the Board of Finance and almost eight as first selectwoman, she will not run again.
Vanderslice said she was announcing early so anyone else interested in running for the position would consider it carefully, especially given the many responsibilities the person holding the office has.
“I am announcing now, rather than after the Annual Town Meeting, to provide interested residents adequate time to research and understand the office. Political party endorsements are due by July 25 and self-nomination by petition is due by August 9.
“For those interested, the first selectman position is less politics and more strategy and operational and financial management. The first selectman is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of the Town and the chair of the Board of Selectmen, the Water Pollution Control Authority, the Board of Trustees of the Retirement Plan for the Employees of the Town of Wilton, rotates as the Chair or Vice Chair of the Wilton/Weston Advanced Life Services and serves as a member of the Western CT Council of Governments, and the Southwest CT Metropolitan Planning Organization. The first selectman is an ex-officio, non-voting board member of all appointed boards/commissions and committees and all boards and organizations receiving funds from the town. The first selectman does not have oversight of the Wilton Public Schools.”
The first selectman’s salary was reduced from $142,999 to $120,000 when the employee position of town administrator was created and filled last year.
Vanderslice has been a champion of town employees during her term so it’s not surprising that she mentioned them first in her thanks.
“It has been a pleasure to work with excellent, professional town employees, an outstanding town counsel team and the many volunteers who serve our community,” she wrote, before adding a message to residents: “Thank you for the opportunity and for your support and trust.”
GOOD Morning Wilton will have more on this story this week.
This town has never and will never have a first selectman/selectwoman as good and as hard working as Lynne. We owe her an enormous debt of gratitude.
Thank you for your service, LVS. Your leadership through the pandemic was stellar. First Selectman is a often a thankless job, but you always showed grace under pressure. Best of luck to you in the next phase of your life.
Good; for all of Ms. Vanderslice’s capabilities as an administrator, the BoS has gotten downright sclerotic the last few years – standing in the way of progress more often than it helps it along, doing next-to-nothing in the face of a severe mental health crisis, picking a ridiculously petty fight over an LGBT pride declaration – and I hope that under new leadership we might start to see the BoS do more to move Wilton forward again.
If only the BOE was managed the same. Maybe Lynn should run for the BOE chair!!
As to “picking a fight@ the truth is the LGBTQ cabal picked a fight with the Town as they have similarly picked fights against sensible people throughout the country for these many years. You can love anyone you want Michael but don’t insist I should advocate your choices.
Republicans calling people asking for a very modest gesture of acceptance an “LGBTQ cabal” are a great example of why Wilton is trending blue.
Thank you, Lynne. You’ve been a great first selectwoman!
“Thank you for your service” is said to a lot of military men and women but not often enough to elected officials who truly see what they’re doing as public service. Wilton has been so lucky to have Lynn for the past 8 years. Big shoes to fill. Understandable that she’d want to move on, but boy, will we miss her!