Cosgrove: 'I Am Excited About Getting to Work'

The following is a press release from the Cosgrove for Branford campaign.

After walking his daughter Ava to school Wednesday morning, newly elected First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove wasted no time making good on his first promise.

“I promised to listen, learn and lead,” Cosgrove said, “and I meant it.”

After a lunch at Seawich with his running mate, Joe Higgins, and newly elected Town Clerk, Lisa Arpin, Cosgrove met with current First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos and visited other Town Hall employees and officials. 

Cosgrove will reach out to several key town officials in addition to DaRos this week, including Schools Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez and Finance Director Jim Finch.

“I want our transition to be focused on moving the agenda we established in the campaign forward and that starts by making sure that there are strong working relationships with town leaders,” Cosgrove stated.

Cosgrove also took calls from both the Fire and Police Chiefs. 

In addition to visiting Town Hall, Cosgrove visited several Main Street merchants with Higgins, Arpin and RTM member Ray Ingraham listening to their concerns and learning more about the issues impacting small businesses in the downtown area.

“We certainly wanted people to know that they were as important to us the day after the election as they were in the weeks leading up to Election Day,” Cosgrove said.

Cosgrove spent some time Wednesday at his Main Street Campaign Headquarters responding to well-wishers and making dozens of thank you calls to his campaign volunteers. 

“Our Facebook Page and website are getting a lot of traffic today,” Cosgrove commented. “I have been overwhelmed by the supportive messages I have received from Branford residents.” 

Cosgrove is also lining up meetings with both Republican and Democrat RTM Leaders.

Even though the GOP scored a decisive 19-11 majority on the RTM, Cosgrove remained non-partisan in his approach.

“I meant what I said last night,” Cosgrove insisted Wednesday, “today we are all just citizens of Branford.”

Cosgrove met briefly last evening with several elected Democrats, who visited him at his victory celebration.

“I intend to work with RTM members as a group,” Cosgrove  stated, “because the only way to solve problems is to focus on people, not politics.”

In the coming weeks, Cosgrove will wrap up his business duties and get ready for his official swearing-in ceremony.

“I am grateful for the trust that Branford voters have given me,” Cosgrove said echoing his speech last night. “I am excited about getting to work for all the residents of Branford.”

The swearing-in will take place on November 19, 2013 at 8am at The James Blackstone Memorial Library.