Board of Aldermen 09-28-2021 Page 30
recognize past members. | think there's over 15 members who were killed in the line of duty and service to the city. And
also the countless numbers of firemen who probably gone before us that we may not remember them but it's very nice
service.
Second of which Madam President if | may unabashedly support a reminder to people to look because bidding is now
going on in Brian McCarthy Foundation. As you know, Brian McCarthy was former President of this Board. He had a
keen interest in education. His family and friends have gotten together and formed a Foundation to which will support the
educational community such as the high school and everything. To raise these type of funds, they’re having an auction.
So | do recommend, unless Rick Dowd has something better but to go to Facebook and to follow through Facebook, and
if you feel compelled and support the memory of Brian McCarthy and all he has done for education, please support that
endeavor.
The next thing, too, be in a former city employee for 35 years, yeah it's pretty much a thankless job. | remember one day
sitting in the firehouse and the guy across the street comes over with his arm half hanging off because he punched his
love of his life threw the storm door. So we saved him, bandage him up, and it was quite a mess. | remember, thank
God, we were all medically trained. You would expect the gentleman would come back saving his arm he would come
and say thank you. Never did. So therefore no matter what division you work with with the city, people are always going
to take potshots at our city employees. | think it's up to us as Aldermen to try to support them to make them feel good. We
know the type of job that they do. We understand it as Aldermen how many times have you received that errant e-mail
and a pot shot taken at each and every single one of us. It comes with the territory but | want to go on record as being a
former city employee and as being an Alderman here, | do support our city employees. | think they're one of the best.
As Aldermen Dowd said, to get to where we were number one many times, we're a very viable livable city. We didn't get
here by accident folks. We got here with the leadership of good boards and good city employees who did their job and
done it well. So | like to be among and | echo the sentiments of my fellow members. Thank you, Madam President.
President Wilshire
Thank you. | just want to bring up a couple of things. Attendance at the meetings. Last couple of months we've been
sitting here at seven or 7:30 wondering if we're going to get a quorum. | understand that people have issues and that, you
know, it's not always possible to get here. If you're not going to be here, please let me know, please let the Chairman of
your committee know ahead of time. It's really kind of hard to sit and wait and not have people show up. So I'm pleading
with you to please make every effort you can to attend the meetings in person if you can. | Know it's difficult sometimes
but it really would help if, you know, if you're going to be out to notify the Chair, and myself, or Donna would be very much
appreciated.
City staff. We all know we have a tremendous city staff. | don't care what department you're looking at. We have good
people that work for this city. Good people that need to be treated fair, treated well. They treat us well. | mean they treat
the citizens well. They should get that back in return. | know so many people that over the last 20 plus years that I've
been on this Board, they do a tremendous job for this city. So | fully support our city staff and hope that all of you do too.
Kudos to Ed Lecius being the Chamber's Citizen of the Year. Ed worked hard for the city. So just want to give him a
shout out.
Also the million dollar donor. That is very impressive. I'm very happy about that. It speaks volumes to the people working
on that committee and bringing in the money for that project. So thank you to whoever you are million dollar donor, we
really appreciate you.
Committee announcements:
Alderman Dowd
Yes the next Budget meeting is going to be October 6'". We just set the date today so at seven o'clock here in the
chamber.
Alderman Caron
Yes Personnel will be meeting Monday, October 4", at 7:00 and please let myself or Donna know early in the day if you're
not going to be able to attend so we don't sit here waiting or trying to call someone like the President. Thank you.
