Hawley says farewell to City Council, expects to stay involved in local government
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.