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Date: 4/19/2021
HOLYOKE – The City Council elected a new acting mayor during their special meeting on April 12.
The meeting began with former Acting Mayor and City Council President Todd McGee stating that the order to choose a new acting mayor had been signed by Governor Charlie Baker on April 7. Previously McGee said he would only be able to serve as acting mayor for a short time, citing potential conflicts of interest between the position and his place of employment.
The council then announced their choice between the two candidates who had volunteered to serve the seven months as acting mayor, Councilor Peter Tallman and Councilor Terrance Murphy.
Each councilor had a chance to state their vote with the candidate who received seven votes becoming acting mayor. Ultimately the council voted to elect Murphy as acting mayor by a vote of eight to five. The council then made a motion to make the vote unanimous, which elected Murphy to position with a vote of 13 to zero.
Murphy addressed the council and said he was “humbled and appreciative of your confidence that I can do the job.” He then went on to thank and compliment Tallman who he called a “class act” and “someone I respect and someone who I know I can continue to work with.”
“I want to thank all of you and want to let you know I only have one goal, my heart is in Holyoke. My goal is to make Holyoke the best place it can be for each and every person, each and every day,” he said. “I’m going to do the absolute best I can. I’m going to have as much energy as I can.”
He went to say he had tentatively scheduled meetings ahead of the vote and would begin to work with department heads. Murphy thanked McGee “for stepping up and doing what he did in terms of personnel,” which eased some of the burden. He said while he knew there were issues within the city, he wanted residents to be able to express their opinion to him “both pro and con,” with mutual respect.
“We’re going to disagree, there’s no way I can please everybody. I’m going to be making some tough decisions, but when I make them it is because I think that’s what’s best for the city as a whole and in some cases individuals who need assistance,” he said.
Murphy became slightly emotional as he thanked his wife who was supportive of his decision to step up. He said the role would take away from time they spend together and he was appreciative of her support. “I’ll do my best, thank you,” he said.
Tallman then went on to thank McGee for stepping up the past two weeks he served as acting mayor. He said he was grateful for the support of his fellow councilors and “humbled at the support and confidence you had in me.”
He then addressed Murphy and said, “Terry you know I’m 100 percent behind you, I’m there with you. I’ve been on the council for a number of years and like you love the city.” He said when there was a vacancy for the seat as ward two councilor he had been one of Murphy’s “biggest cheerleaders” and was glad to have had him step up to that position.
“You’re very knowledgeable, I’m sure you’ll do a great job for the city and we are all behind you 100 percent, your colleagues on the council and the city hopefully will be behind you. What you’ve brought forth in the past few years in city government will really do well in the future, the next seven months as you hand off the reins to the incoming mayor,” he said.
He thanked those who supported him and said he had learned a lot about the “makings of city government” within the last few weeks. Tallman said that there was a lot to be done “to get the city back in shape,” but felt it could be done with Murphy as acting mayor.
McGee said he was “not going anywhere,” and would be available to help with the budget and anything else needed, but he would be returning to his role as city councilor. The council ended with Murphy stating that anyone who had any issues should reach out to him so he could attempt to resolve such issues.