George Harlamon
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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[1], 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[2] 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.[3]
As President of the Board of Aldermen, he assumed the office of mayor when Frederick W. Palomba[4][5] 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[6] [7][8]. 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[9], 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."[10]
Waterbury was a heavily Democratic city at the time of Mayor Harlamon's defeat in 1970 by Edward D. Bergin[11]. 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.[12].
