The town of Ridgefield has an enviable financial position — AAA bonds, a strong but not overfunded reserve, little to no increases in the mil rate for several years and excellent management by the Democratic-led Board of Finance (Ulmer, Mancini and Sutherland) with strong leadership from the Board of Selectman (Democratic majority) and our First Selectmen, Rudy Marconi. It is time to bring the same level of excellence to the elected office of Town Treasurer, starting this November.
Molly McGeehin is the new candidate for Town Treasurer endorsed by the Democratic Party of Ridgefield. We believe she will improve the professionalism and contributions of the office, and be a positive force in our future. Her qualifications are stunning—making her ready to serve from day one. Molly is CPA with 4+ years at Coopers and Lybrand, a “big eight” accounting firm, she holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Connecticut, acted as the Financial Director for 11+ years at the Ridgefield Library (including working with the current Town Controller on the building project), and has been the owner of Ridgefield Accounting Systems since 1996.
Her dedication to the community speaks loudly about her ability to work collaboratively and in a non-partisan manner to benefit our town. She was a driving force in Ridgefield’s anti-idling campaign, resulting in rules that were adopted unanimously by the Board of Selectman. Molly has been a volunteer treasurer for the PTA or clubs at EVERY level of our school system—Farmingville Elementary, ERMS and the RHS Wrestling Booster Club. Her commitment to the environment and quality of life in Ridgefield is evident in her work as Treasurer of Ridgefield Action Committee for the Environment (RACE) and as the Treasurer and Board member for the Garden of Ideas. And of course, she has been a resident for a “lifetime”—at 25+years.
Most importantly, it is time for a change in the collaboration and transparency of the office of Town Treasurer/Assistant Town Treasurer. The BOF needs a partner in the office of Treasurer. Attendance at their meetings is a must—dialogue and cooperation for the benefit of the town is vital. This will be a welcome change of practice benefiting all of us if Molly is elected Town Treasurer. As Ridgefield’s finances become increasingly sophisticated, understanding the reporting needs of town boards and offices, (BOF, Selectmen and First Selectman Marconi), to create both recurring and customized reports and commentary to support their informational requirements will be key. Molly can do all of this and more upon taking office.
A strong, collaborative, and eminently qualified partner for the Town Controller, and the Board of Finance, Molly will bring public accounting, corporate finance and volunteer treasury experiences to the office of Town Treasurer that we need for 2015 and beyond. We urge you to support her election, volunteer to get involved and to help Ridgefield continue to be Connecticut’s #1 Town. Visit www.ridgefielddems.org for more information.
Susan D. Cocco is Chair of the Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee, which supplies this column.