The man who said no many times, who didn't answer to voters, but who answered to the state building code, is stepping down to spend more time with his grandson fishing.
"I'm ready," said Null, 67, who is also busy rebuilding, reconditioning and tracking down a 1935 Ford Coup.
"He is the most qualified and highest quality building inspector in the state of Connecticut," said Former Mayor Gene Eriquez. "He is caring and concerned and he is straight forward."
When Null learned about a school operating on Great Plain Road without proper building permits, without proper exits, he ordered it closed. He ordered it closed after everybody and their uncle begged him to think about the poor parents and how they'd have to scramble to find a place for their children tomorrow. He made the school meet code before he allowed it to reopen.
"He made the difficult decisions to protect the interests of the people and he succeeded," said Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton. "He was the most technically proficient building inspector in the state. We're going to miss him."
Builders who needed Null's approvals said they learned how to work with him. Go in prepared. Don't start before Null gave his approval.
"People who went in unprepared Leo had to guide. They'd be left saying, "What else? What else?," said Tony Rizzo, founder of the Rizzo Group of Companies and AM Rizzo Electrical Contractors. Rizzo started pulling electrical permits in Danbury 22 years before Null was hired. "No one has been more sincere and honest than Leo Null."
"I felt he hit the ball straight and was ethically centered. I have nothing but respect for him and his department," said James Blansfield, of Blansfield Builders, who has built luxury and high end homes in Danbury for more than 20 years.
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