Jan. 3, 2010, 6:25 p.m. — Before a full banquet room in the St. Lawrence Club, Anthony Tod Laudonia was sworn in as our Greenwich’s Tax Collector by our Town Clerk (and Laudonia’s cousin) Carmela Budkins.
The Master of Ceremonies was State Senator L. Scott Frantz, who acknowledged the numerous dignitaries in the room, including Connecticut’s Lieutenant Governor, Michael Fidele, a Stamford resident, and Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal of Greenwich. Both Fidele and Blumenthal spoke to the crowd. Fidele pointed out that Laudonia comes from a family of public servants, and Blumenthal said we are entering into a new era — an era of “In Tod We Trust.”
Town Clerk Budkins took a moment before the official administration of the oath of office to mention several of Laudonia’s relatives who served in public office in our Greenwich. After the oath, Laudonia gave brief remarks, thanking friends and family.
Noticeably absent from the ceremony was Laudonia’s wife, Jane, who was in the hospital with a leg issue. During his remarks, Laudonia pointed out what a special place Greenwich is, and how at times our Greenwich is still a small town. To illustrate he told of his wife’s ordeal the evening before. Greenwich Emergency Medical Services (“GEMS”) and the Greenwich Police responded with their typical professionalism to the Laudonia’s medical emergency. Then, when at the hospital, one of the EMTs from GEMS said to Tod Laudonia, “You’ll see Drew tomorrow at your swearing-in” — referring to his fellow GEMs EMT and our Greenwich Selectman Drew Marzullo, who was in attendance along with First Selectman Peter Tesei and Selectman David Theis. The EMT then asked Laudonia to return to Marzullo the GEMS pillow they had left behind at the Laudonia house. Laudonia obliged during his speech, to the delight of the crowd.
The event was sandwiched by the priests of St. Catherine of Siena Parish: Pastor Monsignor Alan Detscher gave the invocation, and Vicar Rev. Francis Hoffmann gave the benediction.
A reception followed immediately in the St. Lawrence Club, of which Laudonia is President. The abundant feast was coordinated by the St. Lawrence Executive Chef, Tony DeVita.
photo: John Ferris Robben
photo: John Ferris Robben (projecticewalker@aol.com)
