George Harlamon

George Harlamon (born February 5, 1919) is an American municipal politician. He was the 40th mayor of Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.A., a community in New Haven County, during 1969–1970. He was a member of the Republican Party (United States).

Born on East Main Street, in Waterbury, Connecticut on February 5, 1919 [ [http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/harkavey-harl.html PoliticalGraveyard.com] ] , George and his wife Katherine currently live in the Bunker Hill section of the Brass City. George is the only son of Peter and Agnes (Hanzakos) Harlamon's six children. His father was a founding member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church [ [http://www.adherents.com/largecom/fam_orthodox.html Adherents.com] ] in Waterbury where George served on the church's parish council for 30 years. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army in World War II and served with distinction in the Philippines. He received a bachelor in accounting degree, with honors, from Fordham University and an MBA from the University of Connecticut. [ [http://www.bronsonlibrary.org/filestorage/33/Harlamon.jpgSilas Bronson Library, Waterbury] ]

As President of the Board of Aldermen, he assumed the office of mayor when Frederick W. Palomba [ [http://dan.greaterwaterbury.com/waterbury_mayors.php Waterbury Mayors] ] [ [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10E12F639541B7B93C6A8178ED85F4C8685F9 The New York Times] ] resigned on June 1, 1968, after suffering a heart attack, just six months into his 2nd term. Harlamon also served on the city's Board of Finance and Board of Park Commissioners. He was President of the Board of Park Commissioners for 9 years.

Waterbury, in the late 1960's, like many American cities, was torn by racial strife [ [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0716FD3E5E1B7493C6AB1788D85F4D8685F9 The New York Times] ] [ [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70F11FA385E1B7493CBA9178CD85F4D8685F9 The New York Times] ] [ [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10613FA385E1B7493CBA9178CD85F4D8685F9 The New York Times] ] . Waterbury's African- American citizens, living primarily in the city's North End, led a fight for civil rights during the summer of 1969. With the looming threat of rioting in Waterbury, Mayor Harlamon, against the advice of civil leaders and his police department took the bold step of meeting face to face with civil rights leaders [ [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70F14FA385E1B7493C0A9178CD85F4D8685F9 The New York Times] ] , together crafting an agreement that saved the destruction of property and possibly lives in what was then Connecticut's 4th largest city. According to Laurence Zollo, Chairman, Connecticut Community Colleges, "Harlamon's public service brought new meaning to the words honesty and integrity." [ [http://www.bronsonlibrary.org/filestorage/33/Harlamon.jpgSilas Bronson Library, Waterbury] ]

Waterbury was a heavily Democratic city at the time of Mayor Harlamon's defeat in 1970 by Edward D. Bergin [ [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70D10FD3D5A1A7493C3AA178ED85F458785F9 The New York Times] ] . It was Bergin's fourth non-consecutive term as Mayor of Waterbury.

In recognition of his service to the City of Waterbury and his civic involvement as a member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA, Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury Exchange Club and the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, George Harlamon was elected to the Waterbury Hall of Fame in 2003. [ [http://www.bronsonlibrary.org/filestorage/33/Harlamon.jpgSilas Bronson Library, Waterbury] ] .

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