Here's What Norwalk Leaders Are Thankful For This Thanksgiving

NORWALK, CT — As Norwalk residents prepare to sit down for Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, they may find themselves asking a simple question that often comes up each November: what am I thankful for?

In light of this, Patch reached out to various city leaders and asked them a similar question: What is one thing in Norwalk you are most thankful for?

These are the responses Patch received, shared in full below:

Mayor Harry Rilling

"I'm grateful for my family and I also have immense gratitude to the residents of Norwalk for placing their confidence in me and allowing me to serve them over the past 12 years. Being mayor of the city of Norwalk has been a great joy and the honor of my lifetime. Norwalk is truly a special place because of the people who live here. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Norwalk, and happy Thanksgiving to all."

Mayor-Elect Barbara Smyth

"This Thanksgiving I am most thankful for my family here in Norwalk and afar, and for the blessing of living in such a welcoming and diverse community."

Town Clerk Rick McQuaid

"The one thing I am most thankful for in Norwalk is to be able to serve the residents as town clerk. I have a great staff who is always there to help them with their needs and wanting them coming back for more. I am thankful to call Norwalk my home. Happy holidays to all."

Superintendent Alexandra Estrella

"I am deeply thankful to serve as superintendent in a district where every decision begins and ends with what is best for our students. Norwalk is a community that believes in the power of education, values every child, and celebrates diversity as one of its greatest strengths. I’m profoundly grateful for our dedicated educators and staff who work tirelessly to provide every student with a rich, well-rounded education, and for the families who partner with us in this shared mission.

This season, I am especially grateful for our partnership with Norwalk Mutual Aid and Hands of Hope, which has allowed us to provide food and turkeys to families across our community. No family should face food insecurity, especially during a time meant for giving thanks and sharing togetherness.

As we celebrate the holidays, I encourage everyone to take time to volunteer, lend a hand, and give to those in need. When we come together in service and gratitude, we strengthen not only our community but also our shared humanity. Let us be thankful for the many blessings in our lives—and above all, for the love, hope, and family that sustain us."

Board of Education Chair Diana Carpio

"I am grateful for my son and my family. I'm thankful for the great leadership and amazing team within the Norwalk Public Schools, and for my dedicated colleagues on the Norwalk Board of Education. I’m also thankful for the families who make Norwalk such a special place, and for the volunteers who make so many of our community events possible. Beyond my work with the Board of Education, I'm humbled to serve on multiple boards, including Norwalk Mutual Aid and the Mid-Fairfield AIDS Project."

Director of Transportation, Mobility and Parking Jim Travers

"I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve the public. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work within administrations that not only recognize the importance of public service but also respect the individuals who dedicate themselves to it. Recently, someone asked why I do not pursue a position in consulting, where the financial rewards might be greater. My response is rooted in the unique and deeply fulfilling nature of public service. In my role, I have the privilege to engage directly with constituents, understand their concerns, analyze data, identify meaningful solutions, develop strategic plans, secure necessary funding, and ultimately bring projects to life.

Few professions allow one to participate in every stage of a project’s evolution—from the first conversation with a community member to the moment we stand together and ceremonially cut the ribbon. Witnessing the impact of our work on the lives of the people we serve is both humbling and motivating, and it is a privilege I do not take for granted.

Equally, I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to work alongside an exceptional team of professionals. The work we do is demanding, complex, and often requires navigating challenges that cannot be accomplished alone. My team is a constant source of support, innovation, and strength. We push one another to grow, we rely on each other in moments of need, and we operate with a shared sense of purpose and integrity. The amount of time we spend together—often more than with our own families—has created a bond that extends far beyond the workplace. Their dedication, resilience, and commitment not only elevate the quality of our work but also inspire me personally. I am a stronger professional, and indeed a better person, because of them.

In reflecting on what I am most thankful for, it becomes clear that my gratitude is rooted in both the meaningful nature of the work itself and the extraordinary people with whom I am privileged to do it. Public service is not merely a profession; for me, it is a calling. And I am honored every day to answer it."

Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Coppola

"I am most thankful that the Norwalk Fire Department is staffed by passionate professionals who have a genuine and dedicated concern for the residents, business owners and visitors of our city, as well as one another. The level of commitment is incredible. The public we serve should be proud. I know I am very proud of every single one of them."

Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce President Shannon O'Toole Giandurco

"This Thanksgiving, I'm most thankful for the people of Norwalk. Our businesses, community partners and residents show a real commitment to one another and our city. From longtime family businesses to new entrepreneurs and major employers choosing to invest here, their dedication and confidence in Norwalk help drive steady economic growth. I'm grateful for the opportunity to support our members and to be part of a business community that works together and is moving toward a brighter future."

Sherelle Harris, Library Director, Norwalk Public Library

"I am grateful for God, for family and laughter and to for being able to earn a living with both of my degrees doing things I absolutely love.

Both of my parents come from closely-knit families. The funny stories told during family gatherings allowed me to see elders outside of their roles as mom, dad, grands, great-grands, aunts and uncles. They were human and even young once.

One story that still makes me laugh today was when my dad and my one of my aunts, both the youngest of 12, hid in the car before one of their older brother's dates. He said they would not have gotten caught if my aunt hadn't started giggling when my uncle was making his move. Another funny story was being with my maternal tribe watching the "Newlywed Game". My grammy, the oldest of four girls--the two eldest were more religious, but not holier than thou types, and the younger two were wildcats--teased and said the third sister and her husband could never be on that show because they'd have to bleep every other word. They were such a fun couple and how true!

Another story was the time my grammy was preparing one of my sisters and me for a date with two friends. My sister was supposed to wash the dishes before we left. When the guys arrived, there was no time to wash them, so quietly and quickly into the oven they went. My grandmother waited just in time for us to step out of the door to go into the kitchen and ask why the were dishes in the oven. It came out later when we were older that the finding wasn't a fluke. She already knew they were in there. She actually did a lot of things like that for sport. She said, "Did you really think you young fillies could put one over on me. You 'ain't' slick to a can of oil"

I am also grateful for the friends who are like family in Norwalk. They know I love them. I try to show them daily, at least weekly. My favorite time in Norwalk is/was being with the elders listening to political stories about friendships and funny spats during their day. This would include Bobby and MiMi Burgess, Frank Zullo, Rev. Yordon, Otha Brown, and Bea Brown (no relation), etc. Sometimes I laugh until I am crying, thankful for the envelopment and the ability to have gotten some of these folks and to know Norwalk from people who walked among the people and didn't just use the people they serve as cannon fodder. It wasn't just about power or a notch on a resume to somewhere else. They were rooted and they cared. One of the funniest stories was when one of them grew tired of complaining and asking for help about the pesky roach situation, put a bunch of them in a jar and set them on the desk of Zullo, then mayor, to get some action for a complex that needed help.

They were characters, but they put a lot of love and political skill into uplifting the community. Two other Norwalk characters full of laughter are Rick McQuaid and Doug Hempstead. If you are around the two of them together at banquets, you are are in for Frick and Frack, or Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton played by Jackie Gleason and Art Carney on the TV show "The Honeymooners". As good as they are in their roles serving Norwalk, Doug and Rick missed their comedic calling, as did Les Kozerowitz, former Norwalk Public Library Director. Les' humor was more similar to Bob Newhart's, but never, ever let him roast you unless you have very thick skin.

When I arrived in Norwalk there were issues, as there are everywhere else, but the intellectualism and heart was here. There were philosophical differences, but nothing a bite to eat, a drink, or joke couldn't cure most times among reasonable people. I really enjoyed getting to know the entire community and, in my own way, bringing people together organically through programming starting in the early 2000's. I'm grateful for those who recognized my heart and my talent and didn't hinder me or set roadblocks to what I sought to birth and to build. I am ever so grateful for being allowed to serve."