'Extraordinary Leadership' Lands Llodra Award from COST

A press release issued Feb. 25 by the Connecticut Council of Small Towns:

Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra was presented with a “Town Crier” Award from the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST).

COST’s Town Crier Award was established to recognize and honor state legislators and other public officials who have distinguished themselves as outstanding advocates on issues affecting Connecticut’s small towns.

“Pat was selected by her colleagues to receive COST’s Town Crier Award in recognition of her extraordinary leadership and her longstanding service to her community,” said Betsy Gara, Executive Director of COST.

“A resident of Newtown since 1970, Pat became involved in local issues through her active membership in a number of local organizations. She was elected to a six-year term on the Board of Education in 1976 where she focused on building a strong community with excellent educational programs, recreational opportunities, and sound fiscal planning.”

“Her professional career as an educator, like her public service, was marked by achievement — a National Science Foundation Fellow in the study of mathematics, the Scholar’s Award for original study in applied psychology, Connecticut’s Principal of the Year in 2001 and a Leader-in-Residence with the State Department of Education,” Gara said.

“As First Selectman, in the wake of one of the most horrific tragedies of our time, Pat led her community with strength and compassion, displaying exceptional leadership under the most difficult of circumstances,” she added. 

The award was presented at COST’s 2014 Connecticut Town Meeting held in Cromwell, which was attended by more than 350 municipal leaders, public officials and state lawmakers.

This year’s other recipient is state Rep. Arthur O’Neill (R-Southbury).

The Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) is an advocacy organization committed to giving small towns a strong voice in the legislative process. Its members are Connecticut towns with populations of less than 30,000.