Congratulations to John Frey, Rotary Club of Ridgefield 2023 Citizen of the Year!
Join the Rotary Club of Ridgefield and celebrate John Frey as the 2023 Citizen of the Year this coming Wednesday, June 28th at Silver Spring Country Club. John has dedicated 43 years of service to the Ridgefield community.
* 6pm cocktails/dinner to follow* Ticket price $125.00 per person
The proceeds support the Rotary Club of Ridgefield Scholarship Program for RHS students and Grants to local nonprofit organizations.
Purchase your ticket HERE.
Most know John as from his service to the community as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives for the 111th district from 1999 to 2021. We want to share some of John’s many accomplishments and good works that exemplify the Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self”
Did you know? During John’s tenure as State Representative, he facilitated Ridgefield becoming the 1st Cultural District in the State. This year, John received the Ridgefield Cultural District Award.
John has been recognized by both the State of Connecticut and a plethora of nonprofits for his contributions:
* 2020 Child Advocate of the Year, CT Early Childhood Alliance
* Legislator of the Year, CT Cultural Alliance
* 2018 Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame inductee
* 2017 Legislator of the Year, CT Police Chief’s Association
* 2011 Ridgefield Realtor of the Year
* 2008 Legislator of the Year—CT Recreation and Parks Association
* 2007 Champion of Youth—Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club
* 2006 Larry Award—Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art
* 2006 UCONN Advocate of the Year
* 2005 Legislator of the Year—Mothers Against Drunk Driving
* 2004 Citizen Award—Ridgefield Kiwanis
Nonprofit support
John has also been instrumental in securing state aid for local projects in Ridgefield, including the Ridgefield Playhouse, school construction and improvements, the Ridgefield Veterans Community Center, the Aldrich Museum, Tiger Hollow, streetscape improvements, Rotary Club Boundless Playground, and the Ridgefield Boys & Girls Club. He is largely credited for gaining funding for the 460-acre (1.6 km2) Bennetts Pond State Park.
One of John’s signature accomplishments from his time in Hartford was pushing the effort to widen Route 7 from two lanes to four between the Route 35 intersection in Ridgefield and the ramp up to Interstate 84 in Danbury. The two-lane highway was a source of frustration to thousands of drivers and averaged three fatal accidents a year. There has been one fatality in Ridgefield since 2011. The $62 million project was completed in fall 2011.
Thank you, John, for making Ridgefield and our State a better place to live! We look forward to celebrating you as Citizen of the Year on June 28!
Purchase your ticket HERE.