Political allies and friends for years, State Rep. Livvy Floren, R-149th, and former Selectman David Theis were linked again this week as Floren received the first annual David N. Theis Award for service to the community.

Floren was honored Thursday at a fundraiser for the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company at Tamarack Country Club for her longtime support of the fire company and the community as a whole.

“Livvy is a kind person who only focuses on the best in people,” said First Selectman Peter Tesei. “She is a woman who doesn’t have to be asked to help the community. She intuitively knows our community’s needs and steps up to take action and address the situation.”

State Rep. Michael Bocchino, R-150th, thanked Floren for all she had taught him during the past year, his first in office, and said the go-to advice for anyone joining the Republican caucus in Hartford is “go talk to Livvy.”

“She is beyond words the most amazing individual that you will ever meet in your life,” Bocchino said.

Bocchino was joined by state Reps. Fred Camillo, R-151st, and Terrie Wood, R-141st (Darien, Norwalk) and state Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-36th,. Her former legislative colleagues from Greenwich, Lile Gibbons, Janet Lockton, William Nickerson and Claudia “Dolly” Powers also were on hand as well, along with a citation from the state General Assembly for her service.

Former Connecticut senatorial candidate Linda McMahon wondered if Floren ever slept, referring to her penchant for late night and early morning e-mails.

“Everyone in this room can certainly testify about the kind of human being Livvy Floren is,” McMahon said. “She is an incredible friend, mother, wife and citizen and we all know that.”

Theis was also paid tribute at the event. The three-term selectman died unexpectedly last December and left a long legacy of community service, including to first responders. Police Chief James Heavey, in his role as a member of the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company, said Theis was a true supporter who could always be counted on, a sentiment others were eager to second.

“Dave Theis served our town with compassion and an abiding love for the people of Greenwich,” Tesei said. “Dave’s slogan, ‘Your neighbor in government’ is reflective of all you do in the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company to respond to emergencies and provide aid to people in town.”

Theis’ longtime partner Kerrin Coyle was given a loud round of applause and presented with a bouquet of flowers for her service to the fire company and the community.

At the end of the night, Floren thanked everyone for their kindness, saying she was overwhelmed by it all.

“To paraphrase Hubert Humphrey, I’m savvy enough to know better, but I’m naive enough to believe every word,” Floren said, getting a laugh from her audience.

She also shared a thought about the man for whom the award is named.

“Dave Theis has done in death what he always did in life, he’s brought our community together,” Floren said.

For more information about the fire company visit www.glenvillefire.org.

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