Mayor Leclerc's Thanksgiving Message

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love the coming together of friends and family; sharing a meal and collectively reflecting on everything we have to be grateful for. I love Thanksgiving because, at its core, it is about being thankful for what we have, and for sharing what we have with our family, our friends and our community.

While we as a state and as a nation face many challenges, we also have much to be thankful for. We can be thankful for our friends and family and for the people in our lives who bring us joy and those who have influenced our lives but are no longer with us. We can be thankful for our communities and for the many individuals who work so hard to make our towns and cities better, nicer and friendlier places to live and work. We can be thankful for the first responders who keep us safe, the teachers are dedicated to expanding our children’s minds and for those who serve our country, both at home and overseas. As we gather with family this Thanksgiving, I urge you to reflect on all you have to be thankful for.

I am thankful for this community, where I was born and raised, and which I have been privileged to serve for many years, in many capacities. I am thankful for the amazing people who live here and for the many businesses, organizations and community groups that work hard to make East Hartford great. I am thankful for the many attributes that make this town special; our fabulous riverfront, our trails, parks and waterways, our beautiful, tree lined streets, and our rich history steeped in tradition.

It has been my honor to lead this community as Mayor, and I am very thankful to work shoulder to shoulder with an amazing team of people, people who get up each morning and commit all of their energies to making a difference. They lead dedicated, hardworking staffs who keep East Hartford, safe, beautiful and running smoothly. I am very thankful for their devoted efforts.

Most of all, I am thankful for my family and my friends. My loved ones keep me rooted in this community, humbled and appreciative of all that I have. They remind me of the path we have walked together, the experiences we have shared, and make me idealistic for the future. Their love challenges me to work harder for our community.

This year, as we start the holiday season, I encourage you to take time to reflect on that which is most important and to count your blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving to all in East Hartford!