Public, Council Thank Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano at Final Meeting

By Ted Glanzer

After six years on the Town Council, Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano had his last meeting (at least for now) on Monday.

Bazzano was the odd man out in the September Republican primary that saw the addition of Mayor Tom Delnicki back on to the GOP slate. Delnicki did not receive his party’s nomination in Republican Town Committee caucus.

All of which was water under the bridge at Monday’s meeting, when fellow Town Councilors - Republican and Democratic alike - as well as members of the public and Town Council candidates thanked the deputy mayor for his service to South Windsor.

South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department Chief Kevin Cooney stepped to the microphone during public comment and personally thanked Bazzano.

“[Your service] is very much appreciated,” said Cooney, noting that his appearance was non-partisan. “Thank you so much.”

Democratic Town Council candidate Liz Pendleton also thanked Bazzano, particularly for helping to install handicap railings at Veterans Memorial Park.

Councilor Keith Yagaloff, a Democrat, said that Bazzano was part of one the best-working Town Councils that he has been a member of.

Despite the disagreements, “we have always been civil with each other,” Yagaloff said. “We all care about the community, we’re all trying to do the right thing.”

Councilor Ed Havens, also a Democrat, said that one of the best things about serving on the council is that he knows so much about his fellow councilors’ families. He also said that serving on the council is a tremendous responsibility that keeps local decisions in the hands of residents.

Bazzano, for his part, was circumspect.

“I learned a lot here,” he said. “The number one thing you learn is you are not going to please everybody. That’s one of the most difficult things to adjust to. … When you are dealing with 26,000 people, it’s a little difficult.”

Still, Bazzano said he regretted nothing concerning how things turned out. Specifically, Bazzano said that a resident told him that the reason why he was not on the Republican slate was because of Bazzano’s backing of the fields project.

The deputy mayor said on Monday that he takes positions to get things done and because they are right, not so that he can get elected.

“That’s the problem in Washington, D.C.,” Bazzano said with fellow councilors nodding in agreement. “You need to do what’s best for the town. Don’t think about the election.”

He also advised people not to vote against someone simply because of one issue.

“Look at everything they have done for the town,” Bazzano said. “Don’t make it a popularity contest.”

Bazzano concluded by thanking his fellow councilors, saying that unless his family tells him to “get out of the house,” he is taking a break.

“You never know, I might be sitting back up here,” he said. “But I kind of like being home.”

The remaining eight Town Councilors - Yagaloff, Dr. Saud Anwar, Ed Havens, Mayor Tom Delnicki, Cindy Beaulieu, Cary Prague, Kevin McCann and Jan Snyder - are all running for re-election on Nov. 5.

Havens implored people to vote.