Lyden in Salem
Many
a political candidate running for local office has promised to “run the town as I’d run a business.” Typically, however, elected leaders fall short in executing that ideal. Such is not the case with Salem First Selectman Kevin Lyden, a retired businessman.
Now seeking his fourth term, Mr. Lyden effectively has used a businesslike approach in leading this town of 4,200. When faced with a job vacancy, he evaluated whether it is time for a change. This has led to eliminating the position of a full-time planner, a questionable need in the small town, and instead contracting planning work from the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments at a savings of about $40,000. Likewise, he reduced the job of administrative assistant to parttime.
Mr. Lyden negotiated a better deal for health insurance for town workers, again at significant savings. He found a new auditor at a lower cost and with an approach that made its accounting more understandable for town officials and residents, he said.
In continuing a tradition begun by his predecessor, Bob Ross, now the state’s director of the Office of Military Affairs, Mr. Lyden, 58, Now seeking his fourth term, Mr. Lyden effectively has used a businesslike approach in leading this town of 4,200.
has run without party label in all his elections, endorsed by both the Republican and Democratic town committees in his prior three races, all unopposed.
His approach is that of a fiscal conservative but he is pragmatic and certainly not anti-government, working to obtain a $400,000 small cities grant, for example, to help town elderly on fixed income make needed home repairs.
It is difficult to assess the Republican challenger, Selectman Ed Chmielewski, 55. He declined our invitation for an Oct. 8 debate against the incumbent, citing a scheduling conflict, and showed no interest in our offer to try to reschedule. We also got no response to our offer that he sit down for an editorial board meeting.
What is clear, however, is that Salem has a highly competent chief executive. That is why The Day gives its endorsement in the Salem first selectman race to Kevin Lyden.