In a press release, Jeff Manville conceded the First Selectman’s race to Democrat Tim O’Neil, who unseated the five-term Republican in last night’s municipal election.
While his statement does not directly imply it, Manville told The Record that he will not claim a seat on the Board of Selectmen, as would be allowed by the town’s Charter.
Following this local shake-up, Southbury’s Board of Selectmen will now feature a Democratic majority — with First Selectman-elect Tim O’Neil joined by Cathy De Carli, Kelly Keenan, and Wendy Bernard, along with Republicans Jason Van Stone and Holly Sullivan.
Manville told The Record on Wednesday afternoon, “I will let history judge me and my legacy.”
O’Neil is expected to begin his duties as Southbury’s next First Selectman on December 1.
Manville’s statement reads in full:
“Congratulations Mr. O’Neil on your election win. My hope for Southbury is that Mr. O’Neil can build on the foundation that my administration has constructed over the past ten years.
It has been a privilege serving the citizens of Southbury for 48 years of my life; Twenty years as a volunteer fireman, eighteen years as an Inland Wetlands Commissioner and the past ten years as your First Selectman.
History will define my legacy and the contributions to the Town that my family has called home for eleven generations. While many factors influenced this election and, whether voters supported me or not, the citizens of Southbury should know that my only concern during my administration was for the long term health and quality of life for every citizen in Southbury.
I truly believe that I leave our Town in a better place than when I first took office in 2015.
Thank you Southbury for your faith in me over the past ten years. I hope that this new direction proves to be beneficial for our Town.”
The Southbury Record 