About Lile
State Representative Lile R. Gibbons’ hard work, attention to detail and organizational skills have made her a highly-effective advocate for Greenwich and a valued member of the House Republican leadership team.
House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-142nd District, recognized Representative Gibbons’ leadership ability and achievements in 2008 in appointing her an Assistant Republican Leader for the Republican House caucus. Rep. Gibbons has been the Ranking Member on the Human Services Committee for the past six years.
Representative Gibbons also sits on the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee and on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding committee.
As a member of the Finance Committee, Representative Gibbons has opposed efforts to raise the state income tax on taxpayers earning $1 million or more annually. She has supported efforts to reduce the state income and other taxes and to increase the property tax credit residents can take against their income tax liability.
Gaining enactment of the Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board Act was one of Representative Gibbons’ major accomplishments during her first term in the state House of Representatives. The board developed a comprehensive statewide plan to relieve traffic congestion and to meet future transportation demands.
Because traffic congestion is especially severe in Fairfield County, the board focused most of its initial attention on Fairfield County transportation problems.
A major thrust to reducing traffic congestion in Fairfield County is through increased passenger use of rail commuter lines. Under legislation Representative Gibbons cosponsored in 2004, $900 million in state bonds were authorized to purchase new railcars for Metro North, redo the maintenance shed in New Haven and make other commuter rail service improvements throughout the state. The first new rail cars are expected to arrive in fall of 2009.
Representative Gibbons also worked to secure state funding for several other Greenwich projects, including:
- A $138,059 grant to help pay for an expansion and renovation project at the Byram Schubert Branch Library.
- A $1,012,706 grant to reduce the cost of the $4,974,000 Western Middle School renovation and expansion project to the town.
- A $40,000 grant for the Transportation Association of Greenwich. The grant was used to purchase a new van to enable TAG to continue providing quality transportation services to seniors, disabled residents and children.
- A $175,000 grant for the Bruce Museum. The grant funded an architectural study to determine the museum’s long-term needs. The museum has grown rapidly over the past few years and its galleries and classrooms are often overcrowded and its collections and exhibition areas have been stretched to capacity.
- A $750,000 grant for the Bruce Museum in Greenwich for renovation and expansion projects in 2008.
- A $200,000 grant in 2007 for the Greenwich Family YMCA for its renovation projects.
- A $2,000,000 grant in 2007 for remediation of brownfields at the Cos Cob Power Plant site. Funds will used to assist with remediation costs associated with the clean-up of the contaminated site
- Additional funding in 2007 for the Family Centers Pre-school programs
- A $2 million grant in 2008 for the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut, serving Greenwich, Stamford, Darien and Norwalk.
Representative Gibbons has been honored by several organizations for her efforts to secure funding and legislation for various programs including: the State of Connecticut Greenways Council, the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce “Civic” award, the Greenwich YWCA “Spirit” award, the Commission on Aging “Age Wise Advocate” award, and the Greenwich Chapter of the American Red Cross for help with its Safe Rides Program.
Representative Gibbons is especially knowledgeable on education issues, having served nine years on the Greenwich Board of Education from 1991 through 2000. She served as Chairman of the Board of Education from 1997 through 2000 and on six local school building committees renovating Greenwich schools. She was a member of the Connecticut State Board of Higher Education from 1995 through 2000.
Representative Gibbons is a member of the Greenwich Republican Town Committee.
Her community service includes membership on many local boards. She is currently a trustee of the John A. Hartford Foundation in New York City.
Representative Gibbons graduated from Smith College with a BA in Economics.
She is married to John A. Gibbons Jr. They have four adult children and five grandchildren.
