Ryan Casey

I maintain the land around our five reservoirs that supply all the water for the city. Things were neglected for a couple decades, so now we're playing catch-up.

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What keeps me here? It's my home. I've lived in different places, but I always came back. I love it here. Without public service, things wouldn't be the greatest. It's almost like an all-hands-on-deck situation. If I can help out the city I'm from and love, even if it's just fixing a pothole so someone doesn't get a flat, I'm happy about it.

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To the younger generation looking at public service, I'd say do it sooner. The more time you put in, the more you get out of it. Consider trade school too - plumbing, electricity. Those city jobs are hard to come by, and people stay there their entire life. 

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I started in public service 13 years ago as a custodian in the school system. Back then, you had to take a test just to be on a list. Now they're hurting for people. I tell younger folks, “You can get a job with the city right now. They'll hire you on the spot.”

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Public service, to me, is about rallying around the entire community. It's not for one person or ten people - it's for all of us. I used to think there's nothing wrong with being a cog in the wheel, because the cog isn't doing anything by itself. It needs all the other cogs to support the wheel and get things rolling.

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One of my most memorable experiences in public service was when I delivered food for the schools. It might seem like a simple job - drop off the food, the kitchen staff prepares and serves it. But it's more than that.

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There are a lot of low-income families in our city. To see those kids light up when they see the food truck - “Oh, what's for lunch today?” - it's something else. They're excited because they're getting something they might not get at home. Seeing the smiles on their faces - it's heartwarming.

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In Waterbury, we take care of everyone. If you need it, it's there for you. Breakfast is there if you come early, lunch is always available, and there are even afternoon snacks for kids who stay after school. We do our best to help any kid who wants that service.

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Public service is about more than just doing a job. It's about being part of something bigger than yourself. It's about making a difference, even if it's in ways that most people don't see or think about. It isn't always glamorous. Sometimes it's clearing brush around reservoirs or fixing potholes. But it's essential. It's what keeps our communities running, what ensures that kids have food to eat at school, what brings people together.

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To anyone considering a career in public service, I'd say this: it's an opportunity to be part of something important. You might not always get recognition, but you'll know that you're making a real difference in people's lives. And at the end of the day, that's what matters most.

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