Gordon Joseloff First Selectman

ime flies when you’re having fun. Today marks the one-month mark in office for Shelly and me. On one hand, it seems like we’ve been there for ages. On the other, it’s like we just moved in.

People still are asking me how I like it, how I’m doing, etc. The honest answer is I’m enjoying it immensely. What a thrill it is to be working with the best municipal workforce you could find anywhere – and the best team of citizen volunteers.

Sure it’s been frustrating at times. On some days it seems I go from meeting to meeting with hardly anytime to do anything in between. Other days, there’s a chance to make a call, pay a visit, write a letter or e-mail that I know means a lot to the recipient.

One of the nicest moments I had was some days ago when I went to visit longtime Westporter Alice Vornkahl on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Alice is in a senior care facility in Fairfield now but is alert and sharp as she was during her days working in the food service area at Coleytown Middle School.

She was clearly touched by my visit and had tears in her eyes as I presented her with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the citizens of Westport. She was deeply appreciative.

Tonight I visited another longtime Westporter and dear friend Edna Yergin, former secretary of the RTM, who is recuperating in Norwalk Hospital. I learned only at lunch today that she had been taken there Tuesday.

I remarked to a luncheon companion that this was an especially busy time for Edna as she bakes and delivers holiday cookies for many of her friends (including special doggie cookies for my house). I was worried that her illness would interrupt her annual routine that was so important to her.

When I got back from lunch, I found on my desk a platter of holiday cookies – yes, from Edna (and with the usual doggie cookies). I later learned that Edna, from her hospital bed, had directed daughter Amy Day to deliver the platters for her today to the intended recipients.

I know her many friends join me in wishing Edna a speedy recovery.

This afternoon we had the annual town holiday party at the Westport Center for Senior Activities. It was a fun affair with hot chocolate, coffee, cookies and other goodies and a chance to chat with old and new friends. Diane Farrell was there, too, in her Christmas season red sweater.

Thank you to all who came out and regrets to those who could not make it.