Temple: My Family Has Cheerfully Accepted Important Obligations of the Office

Editor's Note: The following letter was submitted to Oxford Patch by First Selectman George Temple in response to claims made by first selectman challenger David Heim that Temple is, in effect, a part-time first selectman because of his busy schedule as an attorney. 

My opponent has attempted to state that I have not fulfilled my obligation as a full-time first selectman.  He cites four of my cases as evidence of this fact.  One of the cases he cites is dormant because I represented an insolvent corporation.  One of the cases he has referred to was a foreclosure committee which was assigned to me by a Superior Court Judge, and I filed none of the 22 motions in that case.  I did file two cases since I became first selectman. I filed no motions on either case. 

I am very comfortable in saying that I have averaged well over 40 hours a week in the service of Oxford in the past two years.  I have given out my cell phone number (203.906.0348), and I have been on call 24/7.  I attended an Eagle Scout ceremony on Father’s Day, missed my wife’s birthday to attend a board meeting, spent Christmas Eve passing out toys to needy kids with our State Troopers and also spent several nights with public works during storm emergencies. The Temple family cheerfully accepted these important obligations of office. My opponent, on the other hand, has not been seen at a town meeting until recently.

I have many years experience in municipal government, including four years as Oxford Town Attorney, six years as Seymour Town Attorney and two years as first selectman. I am sure that my opponent will require a great deal of time just to get the lay of the land.  On the other hand, my education, experience and familiarity with the Town allows me to be much more confident and decisive in the important issues that face us.

George R. Temple

First Selectman of Oxford