Letter: Chatfield puts town, people first

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To the editor,

As I sit here this Thursday [Oct. 22] morning to share with you all my thoughts, I look at the clock and it’s only 8 a.m. I don’t think the people of Prospect truly realize how much Mayor Bob has gotten accomplished before they’ve had their morning cup of coffee.

His daily routine starts at 4:30 a.m. He drives the streets of Prospect to check in on any road jobs and to make sure everything is at status quo. Then off to Dunkin’ Donuts to chat with a few familiar faces. He arrives at Town Hall by 6 a.m. to start his day there and check weather faxes during the winter season. He then goes to both schools in our town to see how they are doing and if they need anything. Then back to Town Hall by 8 a.m. Mayor Bob then continues on with a normal work day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., taking a 20-minute lunch, if that, at the Prospect Dairy Bar.

I’ve had the privilege of sitting in his office on numerous occasions just wanting to say a quick hello. I can tell you, as his daughter, maybe once we’ve had a conversation and it only lasted two minutes. He was busy as usual and watching him in action exhausted me. Since he took office he has always put the town first and always will.

I feel very honored to have been able to share my father with you. I was born in 1980 and he was already Mayor Bob then. However, in my 35 years of him being Mayor, he has missed many dance recitals, birthday parties, and even went to a town function on my wedding day. Do I mind? Not at all. That is what makes Mayor Bob who he is. He puts the town and its people first. I seriously don’t think some of you have any idea of how much.

This man during every snow storm is driving around making sure every road is open and passable for the morning commute. Did I mention Town Hall closes at 4 p.m.? Mayor Bob is out at 1 a.m. checking on roads and the town crew. I can assure you that other city and town officials in surrounding areas do not do that.

Which brings me to the weekend of Feb. 20, 2015. My father had a terrible accident and lost the vision in his right eye. The Friday morning after surgery he was up at normal time of 4:30 a.m. wanting to check in on his town. The doctors told him to take it easy and take some time off. They had no clue that is not in Mayor Bob’s vocabulary book.

That very Saturday we had a snowstorm hit the best small town in Connecticut. Where was Mayor Bob? Home resting like the doctors said? No. He acquired a ride to check every single road in town to make sure they were open and safe for his town’s people. Monday morning he was behind his desk at 6 a.m. back to business as usual.

My point of all this: here is a man, who for the past 38 years of his life, has given you his heart and soul. The townspeople may never know how much my father has truly done and given. And that Mayor Bob truly enjoys 100 percent. He is my and your hero. He will keep leading Prospect, the best small town in Connecticut that everyone has grown to love. It is such a great honor and privilege to say that my dad is Mayor Bob. Don’t fix what isn’t broken. So I ask you on Nov. 3 to come out and vote for Mayor Bob Row B for a true proven leader.

Leslie Chatfield-Latozas

Prospect