EASTHAMPTON — City councilor Joy E. Winnie put a cap on a long and respected political career Wednesday night with one final motion — this one to close the City Council’s final meeting of 2017.
The motion drew applause from the audience, not because they were anxious to get home but because they wanted to recognize Winnie’s two-decade run on the council. Through hugs, tears and laughs, those in attendance thanked Winnie for her dedication to the city.
“Serving the city was never a job,” said Winnie, in her typical humble fashion.
For Winnie, it was an honor that residents put their trust in her to serve Easthampton.
Winnie gave up her seat to run for mayor, an election she lost to Nicole LaChapelle by 424 votes.
Wednesday’s meeting was record-breakingly short, City Council President Joseph McCoy said. There were no public hearings on the agenda. Nobody spoke during public comment. Councilors gave updates, which included councilor Salem Derby stating that the proposed marijuana ordinance has been passed to the Ordinance Subcommittee for review and wording for the proposed single-use plastic bag ordinance has been finalized.
But the spotlight belonged to Winnie and two other councilors who did not seek re-election — Jennifer Hayes, who served two terms, and Tamara Smith, who served one term.
Winnie has been a councilor representing Precinct 3 since 1996 when Easthampton went from a town form of government to a city. Many former councilors attended the meeting, including Robert Harrison, who served for three terms in the early 2000s.
“I have great admiration for Joy,” he said, adding that she’s always been someone he can count on.
City Councilor Dan Rist, who has served alongside Winnie for 21 years, said Winnie set an example for women in Easthampton. For many years, she was the only woman on the council.
“We both hoped to make a difference. We didn’t know how long we would be on the council,” Rist said, reflecting on when they first were elected. “Joy, you have made a difference.”
Councilor James “JP” Kwiecinski presented a framed photo of Easthampton’s first city council. McCoy honored each departing councilor by presenting them each with a plaque.
“In my opinion, Joy’s contribution to women in politics, and especially in Easthampton, is overlooked,” McCoy said. “Most importantly, in her over two decades of service, she has served as a mentor and friend to many of us who worked along side her.”
Winnie told the Gazette after the meeting that she’s going to spend time with her family. While giving up her Precinct 3 seat was tough, she said she doesn’t regret running for mayor. She didn’t want to look back on it and have a “woulda-shouda-coulda” moment by not running.
Taking over the Precinct 3 seat in January is Thomas Peake, 28, an economist for the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute in Hadley. Peake said Winnie told him she’s available as a resource.
Mayor Karen Cadieux, who is retiring at the end of her second term, said she still has almost two weeks left in office, and things aren’t slowing down.
“I’m mayor until Jan. 2,” she said.
Cadieux told the council she’s been meeting with the mayor-elect over the past month and expects a smooth transition.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.