Longtime Cortlandville town board member Ted Testa (standing in the middle wearing black pants and black jacket) and his town of Cortlandville colleagues. (Photo source: Kevin L. Smith/ The Cortland Voice).
Ted Testa, a longtime resident of Cortlandville and a town board member, retired from his position in town government, according to a special announcement at Wednesday’s town board meeting.
Testa, who was present with his family members, thanked supporters and town residents via a letter read by town clerk Kristin Rocco-Petrella.
“It is with great appreciation that I am now at a point in my life where I can successfully transition to the next phase,” Testa said in his letter. “During my 34 years (with) the town of Cortlandville (board), I have been fortunate to accomplish many goals and be proud of the things I have achieved.”
Some of the accomplishments cited by Testa include the vision for Ted Testa Park, which included Little League games, and Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to become part of such a magnificent group of people at the town of Cortlandville, many of whom have become family,” Testa said in his letter.
The town board approved a resolution, with regret, as noted by town supervisor Tom Williams, to accept Testa’s retirement from the board. Williams said the town board will take in applications to fill the vacancy left by Testa.
“Time is of the essence. We are bumping up against the petition-gathering period,” Williams said. “If you have a name of someone (who you would nominate), send it by Monday (at noon) at the latest.”
A handful of Testa’s friends and colleagues spoke at Wednesday’s meeting. Town attorney John DelVecchio said Testa was instrumental in solidifying the local lawyer’s role in town government.
“People may say I am an inexperienced guy, but (Testa) put his foot forward and fought for me. I will always remember that,” DelVecchio said.
Testa has been serving in town government since 1987, DelVecchio said. He was the deputy town supervisor from May 1992 to 2019.
John Folmer, former Cortlandville town attorney, called Testa’s retirement “the end of an era.”
“Over the course of the years that I worked with (Testa), I was more than happy to know not only how much (loyalty and honesty) meant to him, but how hard he worked to live up to those ideas,” Folmer said. “He truly loves this town. Each and every inch, he loves deeply. For 34 years, he has given everything he has had to that love of his life.”
Connie White, chairwoman of the Cortland County Republican Committee, praised Testa for his commitment to local government.
“Cortlandville will always be in your heart right down to your bones,” White said. “It is in your DNA. We all have a personal book about the people we met along the way. In my book, Ted Testa is going to be named “‘Mr. Cortlandville. He set an example for us all.’”
