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Date: 11/21/2023
AGAWAM — The City Council and mayor on Nov. 8 took a moment to recognize an Agawam High School athlete and their own colleagues, and future colleagues, on the council.
Council President Christopher Johnson, Councilor Rosemary Sandlin and Mayor William Sapelli presented a citation to AHS junior Michael J. Naftali III. Sandlin had asked to prepare the citation. Johnson explained that Naftali is a member of the school’s golf team, and during a recent match at the Agawam Municipal Golf Course, he scored a hole-in-one.
“Hole-in-ones are an extremely rare accomplishment that golfers of all ages strive to achieve at least once in their lifetime,” he read from the citation.
Johnson shook hands with Naftali and gave him the citation, to the applause of everyone in the room.
“Having played a few times with the mayor, we’re open if you want to give us lessons,” he said.
During the meeting, Johnson also invited the newcomers who won seats on the council in the Nov. 7 town election — Edward Borgatti, Peter Smus and Maria Valego — to sit alongside the current councilors. Johnson, who himself won election as the town’s next mayor, welcomed the councilors-elect and reelected incumbents. He also congratulated “the real winner yesterday, Paul Cavallo, on his announcement to retire,” he said.
At the end of the meeting, several councilors and councilors-elect echoed the congratulations of those who won election or reelection to the council, and of Johnson. They also thanked Agawam voters, Sapelli, and outgoing councilors Cavallo and Cecilia Calabrese.
In an emotional moment, Valego burst into tears while addressing Calabrese. Calabrese responded by standing up and giving Valego a hug. Mid-embrace, she told Valego everything’s good, to be strong and happy, and that she’s “going to be fantastic.”
“A lot who are sitting at this table have seen me grow,” Valego said. “Mr. Russo, you’re my brother from a different mother. Rosemary Sandlin, Bobby Rossi, Coach [Gerald] Smith, Mr. [George] Bitzas, everyone’s contributed to my growth and I couldn’t be more happier to where I am today.”