Politics & Government

VIDEO: Goodbye, Joe

Mayor Joe Jaskiewicz talks about his accomplishments and his hopes

Whether you like him or can't stand him, there is no ignoring him. And his absence from town government will surely mark a change.

Mayor Joe Jaskiewicz - known as "Pinky" in his youth, because of his coloring - has been around Montville government for 20 years. Tuesday's election will signal the end of a long relationship.

Jaskiewicz is feisty, energetic, willing to tangle. He clearly loves Montville, and has delighted in representing it locally and in the state.

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

His eight years in office have had their up and downs, beginning with a stretch of rain that brought dirt and mud cascading from backyards on the road that overlooks the Stop & Shop shopping plaza, to to the , to a lby his former administrative assistant, to the .

He has and . He has presided over building projects, large and small. He has dealt with lawsuits, budget shortfalls and an economy that has caused increasing trouble for the town.

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He has mixed feelings about leaving office. While he’s looking ahead to new possibilities, it is always hard to walk away.

Here are some of the highlights of a conversation we had a couple weeks ago at Smakosh restaurant.

His background in life

He was born in Brooklyn, NY, and moved to Norwich when he was 5 or 6, he says. He and his wife met while they were in high school, and graduated as the class couple. They were married in 1964.

He went from high school to work as a pipefitter at Electric Boat.

He stayed there for 37 ½ years, working his way to material control, then became a supervisor. When he retired, he worked on projects around the house for a while, then worked at the Submarine Base, running the gym.

In retirement, he also worked as a doorman at the Norwich Inn, where he met Tony Bennett and Jim McMahon, and became employee of the month.

His background in town

Jaskiewicz coached Pee Wee football and Little League baseball. He served on the Parks & Recreation Commisison for five years. He served three terms on the council, was chairman for four years, on the Finance Committee for four years, and has served as mayor since 2003.

 “It’s been a great job,” he says. “It’s an experience not everybody has.”

Here are some of the topics he highlighted as successes during his term.

Economic development

  • "When I ran, I ran on economic development. The proof’s in the pudding. There was no Montville Commons, no Hyatt Hotel, or CVS. I gave Planning and Zoning all the support they needed. I would help them in any way I could.

"Now, because of the times we’re in, it (economic development) has slowed down."

The Public Safety building

  • The vote that approved the public safety building, and the start of the construction were high points of Jaskiewicz’s time in office, he says. The town really needs the building, and that it was started during his term was a major achievement, he says.

Fair Oaks

  • One of the changes in town that Jaskiewicz is proudest of is the transformation of the Fair Oaks School into the Fair Oaks Community center. The designation came when he was on the council, he says.

“It actually is the center of town,” he saysl.

Other building projects

  • The repair of the bridge on the Old Colchester Road
  • The project to renovate all Montville schools

Handbook

  • The town never had a handbook before him, he says, and the publication of that handbook makes him proud.

Congregational Church

  • Jaskiewicz was instrumental in the town's

Police department

  • The Montville Police Department went from a force of 18 to a force of 23 during his term as mayor, he says.

“They claim they need 30 people. I’d have proposed adding one a year, and then eventually get there, with the hopes that you’ll eliminate the overtime.”

Rand-Whitney

  • “During my administration, we did more negotiating than anyone. Finally, at least in the end, we came up with an MOU…

“I was willing to listen.”

 

WHILE JASKIEWICZ WILL SURELY WELCOME the end of the 50- and 60-hour weeks, he says they were just part of the job. “Whenever there’s a function where the town should be represented,” he says, “the mayor should be there.”

He plans to run for chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, and would like to serve in the state legislature.

“I’ll have to see what opens up,” he says.

He is going to miss the job, he says, particularly dealing with all the people.

“It’s been a hell of a ride,” he says. “A hell of a ride.”


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