Condoleezza Rice stated, “There’s no better problem and there’s no better honor than to be in public service.” Over many years, many others have talked in regards to the significance and significance of public service.
This 12 months has not been simple. However metropolis workers have proven how devoted they’re to our hometown. Via the early days of the unknown, they saved responding to calls and continued answering the telephone to get folks the knowledge they wanted. They helped folks take care of each side of the pandemic when residents and companies have been not sure the place to show.
I all the time say the world is run by those that present up. Effectively, this 12 months, and yearly, our metropolis workers present up. Whether or not it’s taking over the additional duties of operating our testing and vaccine outreach, or ensuring that every one points of presidency continued operating easily, they characterize the definition of what it means to serve one’s group, and for that I’ll all the time be grateful.
Final week, we lost our Metropolis Comptroller, John Richard. I’m sorry extra folks didn’t get to know John the best way we did at Metropolis Corridor. His love for sports activities and political story, his dedication to his spouse and his three women — by no means lacking considered one of their video games the place he would enthusiastically share his “recommendation” with these officiating — and his lifelong love of studying.
You might have typically heard me say that Leominster will not be kicking the can down the highway for future generations. John was an enormous a part of serving to lead that effort. Had been the monetary selections he really useful all the time widespread? No. However collectively we made selections that have been and are proper for the short-term and long-term well being of Leominster. John helped lay the fiscal basis that we’ll carry ahead as we construct a brand new police station, assemble the brand new athletic fields behind the highschool, and tackle a bunch of different capital initiatives — all with out elevating taxes. Simply final week, a group typically used as a comparability metropolis to Leominster handed a $9.5 million override simply to assist steadiness their price range. Paying money for capital initiatives, paying off initiatives in 10 as a substitute of 20 years, and our robust dedication to completely funding our pension system are accomplishments that, though they could have served as political lightning rods, have been applauded throughout the spectrum of private and non-private assume tanks.
Thanks, John, for serving to construct a powerful monetary future for the Metropolis of Leominster. Our ideas and prayers will all the time be with you and your great household.
Memorial contributions in Richard’s title could also be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Joseph’s Church, 49 Woodland St., Fitchburg, MA 01420. A memorial guestbook is accessible at lcafh.com.
