PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Ross Hatfield grew up on the Housatonic River where he learned to understand the behaviors of the river; and

WHEREAS, Ross Hatfield obtained the position of Stratford Deputy Harbormaster before becoming Stratford’s Harbormaster, a volunteer position four years later; and

WHEREAS, Ross Hatfield is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to watch over the river and the Stratford shore; and

WHEREAS, Ross Hatfield has exhibited several heroic acts of bravery as Stratford Harbormaster, most recently in saving the life of an older woman who was drowning in the Housatonic River; and

WHEREAS, in the summer of 2004, Ross Hatfield rescued three teenage girls by pulling them out of the river and up into his patrol boat one by one after their water craft capsized in the Housatonic River; and

WHEREAS, while boating on the Shannon River in Ireland that same year, Ross Hatfield saved a six-year old girl from drowning after she had fallen from a path into the river.

WHEREAS, Ross Hatfield is certainly considered to be a hero by many Stratford residents. He is also a knowledgeable resource relative to the Housatonic River and a dedicated Harbormaster who has done an exemplary job as the overseer of our Stratford shore.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, James R. Miron, Mayor, do hereby invite all members of the community to join me in recognizing Ross Hatfield for his heroic acts of bravery and unwavering commitment and dedication in the role of Stratford Harbormaster.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Town of Stratford this 18th day of May 2009.

Mayor James R. Miron