Local officials are usually elected with little fanfare and less notice from the residents they serve. Local political organizations typically scramble to find candidates willing to run, and voter turnout for local elections is much lower than for state and national elections.

While there is relatively little hoopla surrounding local elections, top municipal elective posts carry much responsibility. First selectmen in small towns are almost always on duty, even when they are not officially on the clock. Residents come to know them, recognize them and regularly approach or even accost them in public places.

Townspeople expect to see their elective officials at a range of ceremonial events such as parades, civic concerts, fundraisers and high school athletic competitions. In addition, first selectmen must be well-educated about the increasingly complex and sometimes bureaucratic necessities of government, ranging from budgeting to labor rules to the intricacies of state funding and the effective handling of emergency operations.

Those who are willing to take on these duties and responsibilities, especially those who serve for exceptionally long periods of time or under difficult circumstances, deserve some thanks and gratitude. With another round of local elections looming in November and new slates of candidates chosen, it’s an appropriate time to recognize the long service of Robert Congdon of Preston and Dan Steward of Waterford. Neither man is running for re-election.

Congdon, 70, has served as Preston’s first selectman for 24 years. He planned to leave office in 2017, but when no viable candidates stepped forward, agreed to postpone his retirement and continue to run the town. The Republican ended up being cross-endorsed by the Preston Democratic party in 2017.

Congdon has overseen the town during a period of tremendous change as the two nearby tribal-owned casinos grew into mega entertainment complexes. During his time in office, Preston also assumed control over and cleanup responsibility for the long vacant and formerly state-owned Norwich Hospital property.

In Waterford, Dan Steward, also a Republican, has served as first selectman for 14 years. While his tenure hasn’t been marked by the challenges faced in Preston, keeping a town of nearly 20,000 residents running smoothly is a task not to be taken lightly.

During Steward's tenure, there has been substantial public investment, including construction of a new high school. Planning began for eventual life without the Millstone Power Station, the town's biggest taxpayer. And Waterford during Steward’s tenure has also confronted what should happen with a large property vacated by the state, in its case the former Seaside Regional Center. Its long-term use remains unresolved.

Along with these two particularly long-serving first selectmen, also deserving of recognition is Stonington’s Rob Simmons. While he has served as first selectman just two terms, he won the town’s top elective position at a particularly difficult time for the town.

Simmons’ political career also has followed a most unusual trajectory that shows particular dedication to public service. He represented Stonington and North Stonington in the state House in Hartford before narrowly defeating long-time 2nd District Congressman Sam Gejdenson in 2000. Simmons served three terms in Congress before being defeated by Joe Courtney, the Democrat who still holds that office, in 2006.

Few candidates return from service in Washington willing to run for a municipal office. Not only was Simmons willing to do so, he also did it in the wake of the scandal-ridden administration of Democrat Edward Haberek.

Following July’s Stonington Republican caucus, the 76-year-old Simmons said he was not seeking another term as first selectman because, “I think it’s time for me and others of my guard to look for younger folks to carry on.”

Despite this, just a few days after the caucus, Simmons said he’d run for a seat on the town’s Board of Education.

We agree with Simmons’ sentiments that robust local elections that include slates populated by energetic and eager candidates with fresh ideas make for healthy municipal democracies. We are happy to see that candidates willing to take on these tough elective jobs have stepped forward this year in all three towns.

If elected they, like their predecessors, can expect to hear their share of complaints and criticisms. It comes with the job. Congdon, Steward and Simmons certainly know that well. 

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.