Team Spirit Unites Waterford's Citizen, Family, And Employee of The Year

The town of Waterford broke with tradition in choosing the 2013 Citizen of the Year, Family of the Year, and Employee of the Year. The honorees, announced last night at the opening of Waterford Week's Variety Show, were hardly conventional. 

Waterford's Family of The Year Has True Team Spirit

For family of the year, the town usually picks a family that has worked together to do something for the town. This year, however, the town expanded the definition of family to include an entire team. It chose the Waterford South Little League 9-10 Softball Team.  

"This is a 9-10 year old team that actually went on to win the New England State Championship," said Waterford First Selectman Dan Steward, adding that they did it with dignity as a close-knit team. "They provided a real good representation of our community and they also provided some really good softball."  

Employee of the Year—Waterford Youth Services

Typically, the town singles out one employee for this honor. This year, however, the town decided to honor an entire department for its service. 

"During this year, Youth Services has done an awful lot," said Steward, noting that Camp Dash is now in its second year, the W.A.D.E. alcohol and drug education program has really made a difference in substance abuse, and the Youth Services fundraiser, Dancing with the Stars, which is now in its third year, has become one of the town's most popular events.  

But it was really the many ways in which Youth Services went above and beyond the department's usual duties that earned it this honor. During the two tropical storms and the blizzard that bombarded Waterford last year, Youth Services became one of the town's safe havens and its employees stepped in to assist families at the shelters. 

Following the tragedy of Sandy Hook, Youth Services Director Dani Gorman's expertise as a counselor was also tapped as she assisted families and schools in dealing with the aftermath. 

"Dani and her team came through for us and they were there to help our citizens when they needed some support," said Steward.
  
Brendan McGuirk—Citizen of the Year

The one honoree who came as no big surprise to anyone who knows him was Brendan J. McGuirk, who was named Citizen of the Year. 

McGuirk, a Waterford resident who has served more than 35 years in New London's Fire department, has also served his hometown for the past 18 years as a member of the Representative Town Meeting and he's running again this year for reelection in the First District. But it's McGuirk's dedication to youth sports that really makes him stand out in the crowd.

"If you ever go to a youth sports program, Brendan McGuirk will be there," said Steward, who recognized him for both his sacrifice and for his service to the town. "Waterford and the people of our town are well served by this commitment," he said.