WESTFIELD—Long-serving Ward 4 City Councilor Mary O’Connell has announced that she will not be seeking re-election this year.
O’Connell, who has been the ward four councilor for 12 years, across six terms and five mayors, made the announcement to The Westfield News through a letter Thursday. O’Connell is not stepping down from her current position as ward four councilor, and will serve out her term. She is the longest continuously serving member currently on the Westfield City Council.
Ward four councilor Mary O’Connell
O’Connell, who said that the decision has been “a long time coming,” said that although she has appreciated serving the community, it seems that now is the right time to step back.
“I started looking back on things that I’ve accomplished and I’m proud of them but I’m feeling I’m just a little exhausted,” she said. “I’m a little weary and need to take some time.”
In O’Connell’s press release, she listed some of her accomplishments:
“There have been notable victories. I helped create a better Water Resource Protecting District (an ongoing project) and the CORE District in our downtown area. I took the lead for Westfield residents to stop Russell Biomass © from polluting our air and water and argued against their plan to use out dated wood burning energy facilities. As Chair of Personnel Action I have been part of the process of vetting Mayoral appointments to staff, boards, and commissions, always asking the tough questions. I did not abdicate my responsibilities and simply “rubber stamp” every appointee. As Chair of Zoning, Planning, and Development I worked hard with other Councilors to implement zone changes in all areas of the City. While serving on the Legislation and Ordinance Committee, I assessed ordinance changes and promoted governing efficiencies. Working with other Councilors on the City budget each June was one of the most challenging but important duties I held. This is a cumbersome process and I am proud that working together, we have found success in paring City budgets to a balanced state.
O’Connell did not say if her decision to not hold public office is a permanent one or if this could turn into a “sabbatical” from the elected office temporarily.
“I think it’s helpful to take some time away and I will take this term and decide if I like being off the council or if I have a mad desire to run again,” she said. “I will leave that option open, but for right now—to gain some perspective and recharging—I just wanted to step back.”
Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan, who served alongside O’Connell for a period of time on city council, responded to the news Friday.
“I worked for many terms with Councilor O’Connell as a [c]ity [c]ouncilor and now as [m]ayor and I know this decision must’ve been a very difficult one,” Sullivan wrote. “To lose a veteran councilor, especially one who has given so much time and energy reviewing and updating [c]ouncil rules and City Charter ordinances is going to be difficult to find.”
Rep. John Velis also commented on O’Connell’s decision, reflecting on a particular moment that he shared with her.
Velis said that it was during his first Memorial Day event in the city as representative, and he was speaking to the audience on hand about the military members and friends who have died.
O’Connell was in the audience and Velis noticed her.
“I looked out at Mary (O’Connell) and she had a tear forming in her eye about the sacrifices of our military members,” he said. “I will always remember that.”
Current City Council President and At Large Councilor Brent Bean said, “Mary was one of the hardest working councilors I ever served with. She was dedicated to the residents of Ward 4.”
