Councilors take their leave

By DAN MORIARTY
Staff Writer
WESTFIELD — The City Council cleared its agenda, then focused on the six members who attended their final session Thursday night.
City Council President Charles Medeiros, one of those leaving, said the changing of the guard with five new members coming onto the council in January, is the largest changeover in the history of the council.
Councilors who will return for the new session presented a gift to outgoing members.
Mary O’Connell opened the process by thanking David Bannish for his service, which began in 1988, and his “institutional knowledge of legislative procedure and history.”
Bannish said that as a student at Westfield High School, Garreth Lynch, who later served as mayor, was a student teacher in the English Department.
Bannish said he submitted a paper, which was corrected by Lynch, who strongly advised Bannish to curtail the “profundity of your verbosity.”
“We tend to pontificate every now and then,” Bannish said. “But when it’s all said and done, the only words that are accurately reflected in the record of this body are the ‘nays’ and ‘yesses’ cast. The only thing that matters is how we vote.”
Peter J. Miller Jr. introduced Ward 2 Councilor and Mayor-elect Daniel M. Knapik, who is leaving the council to begin his term in the corner office.
Knapik expanded on Bannish’s comments.
“At the end of the day, we get paid to vote. Municipal service is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Knapik said that it is OK to disagree passionately during council debate, but after the debate ends and the council adjourns, it is important for its members “to leave and mend fences.”
At Large Councilor James R. Adams, who is leaving after six years on the council, said he made his decision because he felt that he could not dedicate the time needed to be an effective councilor.
“I’ll miss you guys,” he said. “I’ve had a great six years, but the demands of life, my children and business mean I can’t give 100 percent to being a member of this council.”
At Large Councilor Joseph Wynn, who is leaving for military duty, said he is proud of the accomplishments achieved by the council and optimistic that under the new council the city will continue to prosper.
“Thank you for your help, your friendship,” he said to the council members. “To those of you retiring, thank you for your service. I wish the councilors who are staying and the new members (coming into office) good luck (in the coming session).”
At Large Councilor John Liptak, who has chaired the Finance Committee during his tenure, said that he sought office to serve the city where he was raised.
“It’s a great city to live in,” Liptak said. “For the most part, I enjoyed my experience on the council. I’d like to thank the city officers who gave me so much of their time, (City Clerk) Karen (Fanion), (City Auditor) Debbie (Strycharz), (City Treasurer) Greg (Kallfa) and (City Collector) Mike (McMahon).
Council President Charles Medeiros, called to speak by Council President-Elect Brian Sullivan, advised the members who remain on the Council, as well as those joining the council, to work hard and have fun.
Sullivan presented Medeiros a number of additional items, including a bag of shelled peanuts, stating that he didn’t think Medeiros has the strength to crack a whole peanut now.
Medeiros spoke about his “peanut” episode shortly after he joined the council in the early 1970 where, as a brash new member, he questioned the leadership about a financial matter and was told by then council President Vinnie Morawiec that he should not concern himself with those issues.
“They had candy on the table back then, but I chose to eat peanuts to get attention,” he said. “It took three meetings. I bought the peanuts from Vinnie’s aunt. Actually, she gave them to me.”
Sullivan noted that Medeiros has served eight terms as council president, served under seven different mayors, served twice as acting mayor and served with more than 200 different council members.
Medeiros said that he did not run for office this year because of a medical condition that would prevent him from devoting the time necessary to serve his constituents effectively.
However, he also noted that he may be the city’s Brett Favre and could stand for election in the future.
Medeiros also complimented both those members who are leaving and those continuing their service.
“This council has more talent and potential that any other council (on which) I’ve served before,” he said. “We have dedicated city employees. We’re fortunate to have the people we do have here, one of the finest Fire, Police and School departments in the commonwealth.”

Published Saturday, December 19, 2009