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Archive for December, 2009

Happy Holidays!

December 24, 2009 at 1:57 pm by Dan Malloy

During this holiday season, it’s easy to get lost in the bustle of planning, traffic and shopping, and all too often, we forget about what’s most important. The former Director of Legal Affairs for Stamford and a dear personal friend of mine whose son is stationed in Afghanistan wrote this essay, which was published on the New York Times website.

His poignant and beautifully written tribute to his son deepened my appreciation for the brave men and women who sacrifice so much on our behalf. I encourage you to read the essay, pause to consider those in harm’s ways and pray for their safe return.

It is my wish that you experience a holiday season and new year filled with joy, good health, peace and prosperity for you and your entire family. I hope that you feel as blessed as Cathy and I do from so much support and kindness from family, friends and colleagues.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to a wonderful 2010, with you.

All our best,
Dan and Cathy Malloy

Dan Malloy

Dan Malloy recently completed his fourth term as Mayor of Stamford, Connecticut. Throughout his tenure, he earned people’s respect for his genuine commitment to managing a city government that takes great pride in the citizens it serves and protects. Before he was elected Mayor, Dan served as the Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, and was subsequently a partner in the Stamford firm of Abate and Fox before committing himself to public service. In 2006, Dan was the Democratic Nominee for Governor recently formed a committee to explore another candidacy for Governor in 2010. Born and raised in Stamford, Dan is the youngest of eight children. He met his wife Cathy while both were attending Boston College. They were married in 1982 and have three sons: Dannel, Ben and Sam.

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Mill River

December 2, 2009 at 12:00 pm by Dan Malloy

For over 350 years the Mill River has been controlled by a series of dams, and on Monday, my last day in office, the river ran unencumbered along its natural riverbed for the first time in centuries.

The restoration of a large natural riverbed in the heart of an urban center is almost unprecedented, and a massive undertaking of which I am extremely proud. When the restoration is complete, Mill River promises significant ecological and flood control benefits and a world-class park for all to enjoy.

This was not an easy assignment to tackle, and the work is far from done, but it could not have even been attempted without tenacious hard work and involvement from so many people, from federal and state agencies to local collaboratives, boards and City of Stamford employees. I am grateful to all of you for making this dream a reality and encourage you to take a walk along the park, check out the development and enjoy the transformation of this jewel in the heart of Stamford.

Dan Malloy

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We have accomplished much together

December 1, 2009 at 5:26 pm by Dan Malloy

At the end of my 14-year administration, I’ve had ample opportunity to reflect back on my time as Stamford’s mayor. It’s been an honor and privilege; an experience that I will always look back on with great fondness, appreciation, and a deep sense of pride over what we’ve been able to accomplish together.

When I took office in 1995, I set out to change the relationship that the city and my administration had with the people of Stamford. My cabinet and I sought to increase transparency and communication between the city and the people we serve. To do so, we created services such as citizens’ office hours and the Citizens’ Service Center, whose sole purpose is to respond to requests in a timely and efficient manner. These programs have helped open the door for residents to call upon city employees for assistance and support.

One of my top priorities has been to make Stamford a safer community in which to live. work and raise a family. Since 1995, the city’s crime rate has decreased over 62 percent, earning us a consistent FBI ranking as one of the safest cities in the United States. Our public safety successes have enabled my administration to pursue a legislative agenda that has sought to revitalize Stamford’s economy, to advance affordable housing initiatives, make dramatic transportation improvements, make Stamford the only city in the state to guarantee early childhood education no matter a family’s income and to restructure the public schools to prepare our children to enter the nation’s competitive workforce. These initiatives have helped our city to grow in into the bustling, diverse and economically vibrant community we now know.

By working together, we’ve accomplished great things for the many people who live and work in our city. Our accomplishments in education, safety, housing, public health, the environment, economic development and many, many other areas have put Stamford on a national stage as a leader for municipal best practices, earning our city four separate city Livability Awards from the United States Conference of Mayors. Together, we changed Stamford’s landscape for the better and have set the stage for future growth. We have worked hard and accomplished a great deal in times of prosperity and in times of economic hardship.

My administration could not have accomplished all that we have achieved over the last 14 years without the hard work and dedication of each and every one of our employees and the participation of every member of the Stamford community. I am grateful for all of the city of Stamford employees for the hard work that they do, and for each and every one of you – for making Stamford the special and unique community that we call home, and for always holding me and my administration to the standard that this great city deserves.

It has been a privilege to serve as your mayor.