A surprised and delighted Peter Cable shakes hand with Selectman Arthur “Skip” Sibley immediately after being named Citizen of the Year.
Described as a “quiet force” in the community, Peter Cable, a physicist specializing in underwater acoustics, was named Old Lyme’s 2013 Citizen of the Year last night at the annual town meeting held at the Memorial Town Hall.
The citation read by Selectman Arthur ‘Skip’ Sibley describes how Cable is a member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, an organization he has served as secretary and for which he continues to direct study groups. The citation notes that he was living two blocks from the Pentagon on a work assignment on Sept. 11. His wife, Jane, recalls two things about that day: seeing Peter’s apartment in the coverage and welcoming him home every weekend.
In his early years in Town, Cable joined the Associated Taxpayers of Old Lyme and Citizens Against I-95 Expansion. He was initially appointed to the Town’s Open Space Committee in 2008, serving as their secretary for three years, and vice chairman for two. When a new Ordinance established the Open Space Commission in 2011, Cable was one of the first appointees.
The citation continues, “His quiet presence was noteworthy during collaborations with the Conservation Commission and Old Lyme Land Trust to publish a Trail Book and when he volunteered to explore Old Lyme’s participation in National Trails Day. Peter has been our Town’s delegate to Connecticut River Gateway Commission since June 2010.
Over the years, Peter Cable’s skills have also served our Regional School District well. He is one of the original members of the High School Building Committee. A conservative estimate suggests that Peter and fellow Building Committee members have spent nearly 1,000 hours working on the new high school – and their work continues today. Peter volunteered to serve on an ad hoc High School Observatory Committee during the same period.
Peter loves music and has attended the New Orleans Jazz Fest for 19 consecutive years. It was no surprise when he responded to Hurricane Katrina by volunteering for the Red Cross in Louisiana. He is currently a volunteer with and legislative committee member of the Connecticut Humane Society.
Peter is also a past board member of Habitat for Humanity. Many Old Lyme residents were comforted by visits from Peter at the regional shelter where they sought refuge from Hurricane Sandy.”
The citation concludes, “He neither seeks the spotlight nor offers an opinion unless asked, traits that his wife believes people in our community value.
The Board of Selectmen agree, and thank Peter Cable for his quiet service to the Town of Old Lyme. We proudly name him our 2013 Citizen of the Year.”
Congratulations, Peter!