Park & Rec Commission Resignations

On Monday, September 26th, the three remaining members of the Wallingford Parks and Recreation Commission resigned in a unified letter (below). After serving the town reliably for many years, they cite their reasons for resigning as due to "frustration and a complete and thorough neutering of this commission over the last few years," adding that "projects have not moved an inch [and] major safety issues continue to be ignored."

"I was devastated to learn of the Commission resignations this week," says Riley O'Connell, "but with as out of touch as Mayor Dickinson has become, it's barely surprising. When you have a mayor that neglects the needs of our community, and moreover blocks efforts by dedicated volunteers whose only goal is to improve our community, this is what happens."

In May the same members of the Commission expressed similar frustrations when they officially suspended the Community Pool Renovation Subcommittee after staunch resistance from Mayor Dickinson. $477,000 of taxpayer money had already been spent on planning and designing a new Community Pool when the Mayor terminated the project.

"These volunteers have dedicated countless hours to this community, but instead of praising them our Mayor has restricted their ability to carry out their mission, so much so that they felt no other option than to resign. I sincerely thank Jason Michael, Michael Savenelli Sr., and Dave Gelo for their years of exemplary service to our town; everything they have worked on and accomplished does not go unrecognized. If only we had a mayor who shared their commitment to helping Wallingford reach its full potential."