We praise three who have made a difference

Three separate events. Three different people, who may or may not know each other. And no obvious link that would put a bow on what they've done.

But the recent contributions of Paul Formica, Jody Nazarchyk and Dave Mortimer are tethered to quality of life. And its betterment for many people and families here in our corner of the world.

Maybe your mental siren begins blaring at "quality of life." Call the cliché police. Heaven knows it's used enough as a throwaway phrase at some town meeting when Group A wants money for something that Group B views as unnecessary.

And an innocent bid at googling "quality of life" produces an avalanche. It's almost impossible to define because of the inherent subjectivity.

But here is what I believe: Your definition of quality of life notwithstanding, everyone's quality of life increases, even if by a mere blip, when people in town are daring enough to be daring enough to connect others to a Greater Good.

Jody Nazarchyk spoke up.

Paul Formica stepped up.

Dave Mortimer paid up.

Here are their stories:

Nazarchyk is a member of the Waterford Board of Education. It was during a recent meeting that she had her Tom Cruise moment. Cruise's character in "Risky Business" uttered the line, "sometimes, you just gotta say what the (heck)."

So she did.

And it helped reinstate freshmen sports at Waterford High School into the school budget.

Nazarchyk, unaware if she had enough support from her colleagues, made the motion, nonetheless, during some recent budget discussions. She didn't have time to dissect the moment because she was immersed in it. Maybe she waved the banner for sports because she played them as a kid (as did her children) and coached them as an adult. Maybe because she still volunteers her time at the concession stands during Waterford games.

"Sports are part of the high school experience, like drama or music," Nazarchyk was saying one day last week. "Children need something to do."

And yet in so many towns, the unwritten code goes like this: Children need something to do, so long as my taxes don't go up.

Question: What if Nazarchyk never said a word? Forget that varsity sports wouldn't get their feeder programs. An appreciable number of kids in town would have been denied a chance to make new friends on the various freshmen teams and invest themselves into their school.

Formica, East Lyme's first selectman, has championed the need for a new athletic complex at the high school, complete with new artificial turf field, track, bleachers, lights, a new entryway into the complex (with a new traffic light) and a renovated parking lot.

Formica could have shelved the idea, caving to the town's Fellowship of the Disagreeable, who, essentially, hate everything except the sound of their voices.

Formica, however, has remained steadfast in his belief the time is right for the project: The facility needs repair and new entryway/traffic light will make the area around the high school a safer drive.

He also called it "tax neutral."

The Fellowship, no doubt, rolls its eyes at "tax neutral." But I ask this: When has Formica ever led the town astray?

The new field will benefit the greater good: Every family in town with a kid who plays sports.

Finally, there's Mortimer. He saved New London Country Club, renaming it Great Neck Country Club. But if we wanted to call it Dave Mortimer Country Club, who'd argue?

We should agree that under the auspices of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," we should get to spend a few million dollars any way we want. Mortimer chose to assume the debt of the old country club, snatching hope from the jaws of despair. Since, Mortimer has energized the place, leading to a swell in membership, now more than 300 strong.

Question: What if Dave Mortimer chose to spend his money elsewhere?

Bet there are a noteworthy number of people whose lives are better today because of Nazarchyk, Formica and Mortimer.

We owe them thanks.

Three separate events. Three different people, who may or may not know each other. And no obvious link that would put a bow on what they've done.

Unless you consider this: They were daring enough to be daring enough to connect other people in their towns to a Greater Good.

Bravo.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.