Governor William O'Neill was very open to reporters. He was straightforward and expected the same. He was always kind to me, maybe because of the Irish heritage we shared and his love for cars. The Governor was a proud owner of a black 1960 Thunderbird.

When you look back at his ten plus years in office (ten years & ten days) his was a remarkable accomplishment. I was there the morning the Mianus River Bridge collapsed in Greenwich, June 1983. The Governor embarked on a $6.5 billion dollar highway bridge and rebuilding program. The same year, he raised taxes $250 million to fend off a state
deficit. Tough calls for a very wise and intelligent man.

First Lady, Nikki O'Neill was always there too, by his side. She'd answer the phone at the house in East Hampton....and let you talk to the Governor. He was the first to say his job was difficult, an awesome responsibility. Its not that he aspired to be the Chief Executive of the State of Connecticut, that's just how the cards fell, and he dealt them well. Thank you Governor.