Brooks Hawley bid farewell to his fellow (and lady) City Council members Monday night, ending a five-year run that saw him advance to president of the board, but left stating that his interest in politics and local government is as keen as ever.
"I'm not leaving and going away to never be heard from again," Hawley said following the meeting at City Centre Council Chambers. "I'm looking forward to staying inovlved and helping out in areas that need working on."
Hawley is relinquishing his Councilman-At-Large seat due to the relocation of his family from the city into his late grandfather's house in the Town of Batavia, thus making him ineligible to serve on City Council. So far, three people have emerged as possible candidates to replace him (subject to a recommendation by the City Republican Committee).
"It has been amazing," Hawley said after receiving well-wishes from the other council members and city employees.
"I've been on the Council for five years; I was appointed to Marianne Clattenburg's position where I had to run once to finish out the term and the next year I had to run again to do the four-year term. You don't know what goes into making the city work until you get inside and serve on committees and boards and the Council. It's very indepth and I've learned a lot and I believe the city is going in the right direction."
Hawley said he was pleased that several important projects have moved forward during his tenure.
"When I first ran I actually ran on neighborhood revitalization and infrastructure. Since I've been on City Council, we've done the most roads and sidewalks in the past 20 years for Council and, in neighborhood revitalization, there are lots of programs and grants that are out there to help communities build ... and celebrations. And I do see the (City Centre) Mall situation coming to fruition in the next year."
When it was mentioned that public service is in his famiy's blood -- his father is Assemblyman Stephen M. Hawley and grandfather was Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley -- he reiterated that he would welcome the chance to serve in Town of Batavia government.
"I would definitely be interested if the right opportunity came up," he said. "I would definitely think about anything that's out there."
Hawley was Council president for two years before being defeated by Eugene Jankowski Jr. in January.
According to City Republican Party Chair David Saleh, to date three people have expressed interest in the City Council post -- Bill Cox, president of Marktec Products of Batavia and a former City Councilman; Mike Rapone, vice principal and athletic director at Notre Dame High School, and Bob Bialkowski, president of Great Lakes Aviation and a former City Councilman.
The city's Republican Party committee will interview candidates for the post and make a recommendation to Council no later than early next month, Saleh said.
Whoever is selected would serve the remaining year of Hawley's term, and then have to run for re-election (if he or she so chooses) next November.
Good to know he is going to
Good to know he is going to keep his grandfather's home in the family. I wish him well.
Who down votes wishing
Who down votes wishing someone well? ::shakes head and sighs::
Joshua. Oooo-o-o! I love
Joshua. Oooo-o-o! I love guessing games.
"Who down votes wishing someone well?"
Lemme see. "Who down votes wishing someone well?"
Hang on, hang on! I'm thinking.
OK, I'll take a stab at it.
Disgruntled Democrats?
And now Bill Cox is in the
And now Bill Cox is in the running for the job again.
I would vote down a wishing
I would vote down a wishing well.
I think it's time for an
I think it's time for an African American to be a representative to City Council. At last check [2013] the Black population of Batavia was almost 7%, and I'll bet in the past 3 years it has increased. Are there no Republican Black folks residents in Batavia? I know a couple who voted for Trump.
Brian, if you someone, then
Brian, if you someone, then tell them to send in their name. They might not know there is an opening.
You're right John. In fact
You're right John. In fact probably most local Republicans don't know there is an opening. Isn't that how it usually works around here?
Well, they do not check the
Well, they do not check the news, most don't.
Ya know what John, as you
Ya know what John, as you just suggested people need to watch the news more closely, but why(?) this Batavian news story didn't offer any contact information. So I've been checking the internet and can't find a link to contact the Batavia City Republican Committee. And checking their Facebook I find there hasn't been any activity on it since January 2014! Like I said, isn't that how it usually works around here?
Guess you did not read the
Guess you did not read the Daily News online edition. The contact information was there.
You contact the party chairman, Dave Saleh, at salehdave@gmail.com
You're right... I rarely look
You're right... I rarely look at the Daily Snews.
That's way some will not know
That's why some will not know there is an opening or how to ask to be considered. On the other hand, they have know for a long time Hawley was leaving and probably have a good idea who will be picked.
Let's be honest it is pretty
Let's be honest it is pretty much an insider cronyism establishment game unless you are 'relatively wealthy', astute, and stubborn like a Donald Trump.
This is a temporary
This is a temporary appointment. Whoever is appointed has to run for election in November. All 3 Batavia City At Large Council seats will up as will all 9 Genesee County Legislature seats (other local offices will be up for election also), Feel free to run for once instead of crying needing to be an insider.
Those interested in running
Those interested in running for the Councilman-At-Large seat are asked to send a letter of interest to Republican Committee Chair David Saleh at salehdavej@gmail.com.