By Adam Swift
Last week’s Town Council meeting was the final one for Councilors Barbara Flockhart, Tracey Honan, and Stephen Ruggeiro.
Council President Jim Letterie presented citations to the councilors for their service to the town. In addition, several residents thanked the councilors for their time in office during the public comment portion of the meeting.
“Time goes by really quickly, and Barbara, Steve, and Tracey have been here for four years,” said Letterie. “They each bring different traits to the council.”
Letterie thanked Ruggeiro for taking on the chair of the council’s rules committee and putting in countless hours in the effort.
“Barbara, you have been a calming influence on many of us; your work ethic is second to none, you’ve put in the time needed and we very much appreciate that,” said Letterie.
Letterie thanked Honan for providing some of the best conversations he’s had on the council in the past 18 years and thanked her for the time she has put into her role.
“It’s been said in a lot of ways that it is a thankless job, and to put your name on the ballot and to serve for those four years is incredibly appreciated and we thank you very much,” Letterie told the three departing councilors.
Honan thanked the citizens of Winthrop for allowing her to serve and putting their trust in her.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people that I don’t think I would have otherwise in my position as a town councilor, and that includes everyone here in this room,” said Honan. “I want to thank my fellow councilors, whom I’ve enjoyed working with. You’ve challenged me and we’ve had a lot of fun and it’s been real.”
Honan said she has learned a lot in the past four years and that she hopes to serve the community in other ways.
Flockhart thanked the voters, especially those in Precinct 4, and said it was a pleasure to work with the councilors.
“As somebody who has only lived here for 32 years, I’m still a newbie, and it’s been a pleasure getting to know so much more about the town and so many more people, and I really feel like I understand so much better about Winthrop now,” said Flockhart.
Ruggeiro said he spent time reflecting on his tenure on the council and was proud of everything the council has accomplished.
“Some of the things that have happened over the past four years, I don’t think anyone could predict, and I think we did a really good job of handling them,” said Ruggeiro.
In other business, Letterie read a statement from the council condemning the anti-semitic Zoombombing incident that took place during the public comment portion of the Dec. 5 meeting.
“The Winthrop Town Council was deeply disturbed and unequivocally condemns the recent display of hate speech at our last council meeting,” said Letterie reading from the statement. “Such expressions of hatred and bigotry have no place in our community and are an affront to the values we are proud of. Winthrop is proud to be home to a rich and vibrant Jewish community.
“We recognize the fear and pain that such incidents cause, not only to our Jewish residents, but to all who stand against hatred and discrimination.”