A lively crowd gathered at Aspetuck Land Trust’s (ALT) Haskins Preserve in Westport recently to celebrate Bruce LePage’s 25 years of service as executive director of the Trust. LePage, who is formally retiring at the end of the year, received a citation from the Connecticut Senate –proposed by Senators John McKinney and Judith Freedman—as well as one from the General Assembly proposed by Representative John Stripp. These citations note LePage’s success in securing over 1,000 acres of open space during his tenure and his ability to work with both individuals and government officials to protect land from development.
Woody Bliss, First Selectman of Weston, presented a proclamation declaring June 7, 2008 Bruce LePage Open Space Day. Many of the other local town’s current and former First Selectmen spoke of LePage’s invaluable contribution including Ken Flatto (Fairfield), Gordon Joseloff (Westport) and Bill Kupinse (Easton). George Guidera, former First Selectman from Weston and ALT’s current attorney, also paid Bruce LePage a tribute noting that he "always is a gentleman no matter how intense the negotiations."
Among LePage’s key accomplishments are the preservation of Trout Brook Valley which, including Crow Hill and Jump Hill, encompasses 1,009 acres and his recent success in pushing through legislation that clarifies tax exempt status for all Connecticut land trusts.
"Bruce will be greatly missed," commented Land Trust President Princie Falkenhagen, "although he will stay on to help in the transition to a new Executive Director. At this time, ALT is still looking for the right person to replace him, certainly a hard act to follow!"
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1 comment:
This was a beautiful event, thank you Bruce!
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