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Mayor Takes Office At 22
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TORRINGTON -- It was a heady
first few hours as mayor for Ryan Bingham, the 22-year-old recent college
graduate who was elected Nov. 8.
There were lots of handshakes and two sustained standing ovations from the crowd of about 300 at Bingham's inauguration at the Warner Theatre. Later, during a reception at city hall, citizens lined up to chat with the new mayor.
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. "I'm impressed," said Art Oles, a city resident and business owner. "I'm impressed by the enthusiasm." Citizens, he said, seem to have hope for Torrington and enthusiasm and respect for Bingham. "We're gonna give him a shot." Since his election, lots of people have been offering Bingham advice about city business. He joked about it during his inauguration speech. He held up a book called "life after school. explained.," which he received from the Marist College alumni association. Bingham graduated from the school in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in 2004 with a degree in political science. "I learned how to pick a wine in a restaurant," he said, and how to change the title on his car into his name. "I was a little upset I didn't find a chapter on how to run a city or being mayor of a city." Bingham, a Republican, suggested that he is among those who are still a little shocked he beat two-term Democratic incumbent Owen J. Quinn, 4,462 to 4,238. "Everyone always tells you to shoot for the stars, but I doubt that they had this in mind," he said. "However ... dreams sometimes come in sizes that are too large so that we can grow into them." Bingham said that he is "humbled" to have been given the chance to "help make Torrington a place we can continue to be proud of. I am happy to be part of this new era of change for Torrington. I know that together we can accomplish so much for our home." One thing the new mayor has going for him is that he doesn't think he has all the answers, some said. "If he remains a little humble, listens and takes sound advice, he should be able to carry this town forward," said Ray Turri, a city resident and owner of an electrical contracting business and street light repair business. "We all have to give him our support, and that's why I'm here." As for the people who will answer to him, most of whom are more than twice his age, there is enthusiasm. "He makes no bones about the fact he doesn't know everything and is going to rely on the assistance of departments heads," Police Chief Robert Milano said. "He certainly looks open-minded. He asks questions. I will give him my best, as I would any mayor." The young mayor comes from a well-known and politically active family. His grandfather is Joe Ruwet, who represented Torrington in the state House of Representatives until 1992. His mother, Anne Ruwet, now holds the 65th District seat. U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson attended Monday to swear Bingham in. Bingham said he needs to keep learning about city government and he'll do that the way he's done it all along, by asking questions and listening to what people have to say. "I'm taking things slow, day by day," he said. His immediate priorities include getting Torrington's long-talked-about downtown redevelopment effort going. And he said he plans to focus on placement of the new Litchfield Judicial District courthouse, which is to be built in Torrington. Three sites are under consideration by state officials. Bingham also said he'll focus on public safety, including crime and emergency medical issues, such as response times. After Monday's celebration, Bingham headed to his new office at city hall for a brief celebration with family and close friends. And then he was getting keys, signing paperwork and preparing for Monday night - his first city council meeting. |
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