ORDER-2018-108 : A Resolution Honoring Donald L. Conn, Jr. as the President of the Board of Aldermen for the year 2017 and for 22 years of Public Service

Transcript (~9 min @ 44:28)

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▶ 44:25 Peter D. Mortimer: motion to place the order on file mr president second alderman mortimer moves to place the

▶ 44:29 Speaker 3: order on file motion is seconded by alderman Tramontozzi on the motion all those in favor aye anyone opposed motion passes that order will be placed on file order number 2018-108

▶ 44:40 Speaker 6: a resolution honoring donald l khan jr as the president of the board of aldermen for the year 2017 and for 22 years of public service mr president i make a request for immediate consideration

▶ 44:55 Speaker 3: alderman mortimer moves for immediate consideration is there an objection there is not alderman are you moving to suspend the rules to come forward and read the resolution So moved, sir. Second. Alderman Mortimer moves to suspend the rules. Motion is seconded by Alderman Forbes. On the motion, all those in favor? Aye. New and opposed. Motion passes.

▶ 45:12 Peter D. Mortimer: Mr. President, may I approach the podium? You may.

▶ 45:25 Peter D. Mortimer: President Donald Kahn has been involved in Melrose politics since the late 80s. He's now a deputy city solicitor in Peabody, but he was the city solicitor here in the early 90s. and his quiet guiding hand has helped us through so many events in our city so many of the events that were just mentioned in the previous resolution behind the scenes the quiet measured dignified thoughtful contemplative mind of Donald Kahn was always at work reaching out coming to consensuses coming Or is that consents, aye? Coming to consensuses and making sure that things ran smoothly. President Kahn is truly an elder of our city. I'm actually three years older than he is and no one can believe that. He's looked like this since he was 18 years old. Look at that picture. There's that picture up there on the wall. when he looked like a young jimmy stewart the uh james stewart the actor if anybody remembers james stewart the actor there's a few of us left but dawn has always loved melrose cared about melrose worked hard made sure we stayed on the right path didn't get distracted and kept

▶ 47:02 Peter D. Mortimer: things on a very very good track he's been a great asset to our city over the years and And in that vein, I would like to read and present this resolution to him. And it is a resolution honoring Donald L. Kahn, Jr. as the president of the Melrose Board of Aldermen for the year 2017 and for 22 years of public service to the city of Melrose. Whereas, Alderman Donald L. Kahn has served as President of the Board of Aldermen for the City of Melrose for the year 2017, his ninth term in that esteemed role, more than any other alderman in Melrose history. And whereas, the Board of Aldermen congratulates President Donald L. Kahn for completing his 18th year as an Alderman-at-Large for the City of Melrose and appreciates his commitment to serving Melrose, a commitment that continues his family's legacy of public service. It was your grandfather who was a state rep? Yeah, President Kahn's grandfather was a state rep. And whereas the board recognizes that President Donald L. Kahn's dedication to our community extends far beyond his efforts in this chamber, His 22 years of service to our city as an alderman and a city solicitor, a post he held from 1998 to 2001. And whereas President Donald Elkhorn, Jr. is a graduate of Tufts University and Boston College Law School, he is a loving and caring husband to his wife and a loving father who continuously supports his twins, Donald and Emily. graduates of Melrose High School, where Emily was the valedictorian of her class. President Kahn is always thoroughly prepared for every meeting and runs a well-organized, efficient, and informative meeting. And whereas the board shows its appreciation for President Kahn's tremendous legal knowledge and insightful perspectives originating from his native intelligence and vast municipal political experience, Be it resolved that we, the members of the Board of Aldermen, thank President Kahn for his commendable and invaluable helmsmanship and therefore be it further resolved that on this 18th day of December in the year of our Lord, 2017, that this resolution signed by each and every member of the Board of Aldermen be spread across the records of the Melrose Board of Aldermen and that a special copy thereof be prepared and presented to President Donald L. Kahn, Jr., thank you.

▶ 50:13 Speaker 3: A short time ago, somebody asked me if I was going to give a speech and impart my knowledge and wisdom to the board tonight, and don't worry, I'm not gonna give a speech, and I don't know whether I have any knowledge or wisdom to impart to you. My first meeting was here in this chamber in January 6th of 1990, and tonight will be my last meeting, last meeting and over that time I've seen many many wonderful changes occur in the city of Melrose the city in 1990 compared to the city today is like night and day we've progressed forward over the years and we've met challenges I've done that frequently over the years people have asked me why I keep doing this or am i crazy to keep doing this and like all of you I've done it because of my regard for this city we have our problems like everyone else does but it's a wonderful community it's a wonderful place to live it's a wonderful place to raise children and i'm sure that it's going to continue to progress and make progress as we go forward so the only thing i have to impart to you are two things what i've tried to do over my time in the city is not to do what's necessary to win votes to seek popularity but i've always tried to do what i thought was right for the city and as all of you know i tend to be stubborn and i was frequently wrong but i think overall here in the chamber we've made good decisions and we've been right more often than we've been wrong and my last shot is as you go forward into the new year please take good care

▶ 52:07 Peter D. Mortimer: of our city it's a wonderful place thank you i have here a gavel and a plaque presented from the melrose board of aldermen listing all your years as president of the board of aldermen and we gratefully present this to you thank you i really need another one

▶ 52:32 Speaker 3: thank you thank you very much this is another wonderful nice depiction of the hall Thank you very much for all of you, and now, if I was in the audience, I would say let's get back to business, so let's get back to business, please.

▶ 52:46 Speaker 8: Motion to place the order on file, Mr. President.

▶ 52:48 Speaker 3: Second. Alderman Waterman wants to place the order on file. Motion is seconded by Alderman Boyce-Elwin. The motion, all those in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed? Motion passes, the order will be placed on file.