6-year-old takes the reins at Town Hall

GREENWICH — “You’re the boss, Elmer,” Fred Camillo said Friday as he handed off the responsibilities of first selectman to the 6-yearold from Chickahominy in a ceremony at Town Hall. “You run the whole show.”

The change in leadership wasn’t the result of a political coup as Elmer Diaz tried on the ceremonial sash worn by the first selectman at parades and got a chance to sit behind Camillo’s desk in his wheelchair.

It was a show of support for Elmer, who is battling a brain tumor.

He was accompanied by his mother, Maria Jose Felipe, as he became honorary first selectman for Greenwich for the day. Elmer also received several gifts, along with candy and his own Greenwich Police Department baseball cap, at the ceremony organized by the town and the GPD.

Elmer, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor last August, is undergoing treatment as doctors attempt to reduce its size.

A social worker from Greenwich Hospital reached out to Chief of Police James Heavey, who told Camillo, about Elmer’s medical battle.

In welcoming Elmer to Town Hall, Camillo presented Elmer with a certificate of special recognition naming him to his new position.

“You’re a big upgrade over the old first selectman,” Camillo joked to the 6-yearold.

The family also received a gift of $10,000, thanks to town residents Tina Pray and Joe Lockridge, with funds from the family’s Russell Maguire Foundation named after Pray’s grandfather. Additional funds were also set to be delivered to the family from Amy’s Angels and town resident Rob Morris.

“I hope this will help you and your son very much in getting him better, and I hope it makes your life a little bit easier,” Pray told Felipe. “From my family to yours.”

“This has really come from the heart,” Camillo added. “This is showing the very best of our community.”

With all the gifts and attention, Elmer was quite shy behind his Spider-Man face mask, but he offered some smiles and a happy “thank you.” His mother also expressed her gratitude to Camillo and the entire town, with the help of translation from GPD Officer Siuyan Su Ah Sor.

“They’re very happy that the community has been so helpful to them,” Su Ah Sor said. “They’ve been so supportive in these difficult times they’re going through.”

As first selectman, Elmer’s duties included acting as fire and police commissioner.

“You couldn’t ask for a better person to take over,” Camillo said.

Donations to Elmer and his family can be coordinated through the first selectman’s office by calling 203622-7710, Camillo said.