LETTER: A Track Record of Service. Vote Saleeby for Town Clerk

Laura Kostin is a resident of Cos Cob and a Member of the RTM in District 8. She is also a candidate for the Board of Education.


I once heard the expression, “there’s no Democratic or Republican way to clean the streets” — similarly, there’s no Democratic or Republican way to run the Town Clerk’s office.  Nonetheless, on November 2nd voters will choose between a Democrat and a Republican to lead the Greenwich Town Clerk’s office into the future.  For those who are unaware, this year it is a race between Democrat Molly Saleeby and Republican Jackie Budkins, daughter of current Town Clerk Carmella Budkins who has been in the position for 15 terms (30 years).

The Town Clerk’s office is one that serves residents and the general public on many levels. It is the keeper of our vital records and the Town’s historical records. It is also where land transactions are recorded and licenses and permits are issued.  Absentee voting takes place there and the Clerk also certifies elections.  Additionally, the Town Clerk is Secretary of the Representative Town Meeting or RTM, our local legislative body.

It is my pleasure to endorse Molly Saleeby for this position as I believe she has all the necessary qualities and experience to serve with distinction in the position.

While Molly has an impressive breadth of professional administrative experience at Thirteen/WNET and Time Magazine and Skadden Arps, I believe it is her track record of service to the Town and its residents that sets her apart as the most qualified Town Clerk candidate.  After all, at its core, this is a service role and service to our residents is where Molly has dedicated herself for years.

Molly is currently serving her second term on the RTM, where she is a determined advocate for our schools, students and the town at large.  You can regularly find her at myriad committee meetings as well as Board of Education and Board of Estimate and Taxation (Finance Board) meetings, keeping herself informed of issues in order to make thoughtful, educated decisions on behalf of the constituents she cares so much about.  Molly has the interests of others in mind at all times. 

We are fellow District 8 reps and Molly stepped up to serve as our Secretary and then Vice Chair.   Additionally, she serves as a delegate to the Budget Overview Committee. 

When constituents contact her she responds right away and follows through, including this past winter when a resident got in touch about safety concerns due to the lack of a proper sidewalk in his neighborhood leading from the Orchard/Bible Street intersection into Bible Street Park where families and school kids are always coming and going.  In no time, Molly met with the homeowner on site (on a very cold February morning!) and then DPW, and then kept the homeowner informed of timetable and progress communicating every step of the way through to completion of a brand-new, safe sidewalk.  That’s service.

When former First Selectman Peter Tesei asked Molly to serve as a volunteer Parking Ticket Adjudicator she didn’t hesitate.  There was a need and she answered the call.  Molly is still serving in that role and it’s not always easy.

Molly is so giving of her time.  She volunteered at Family Centers Armstrong Court Preschool, assisting with general classroom instruction.  She’s volunteered in the emergency room at Greenwich Hospital.  And she will soon serve as a United Way Reading Champions volunteer for Greenwich Public School students who need support in this area. 

Experience and job qualifications aside, I’m voting for Molly Saleeby because of her unwavering willingness to serve our community regardless of one’s age or political affiliation, and because of her commitment to work toward the betterment of Greenwich as a whole.  Please join me in voting for Molly for Town Clerk on November 2.

Laura Kostin is a resident of Cos Cob and a Member of the RTM in District 8. She is also a candidate for the Board of Education.