Alderman Greer Tan Swiston said farewell to the board of Aldermen last night. Wicked Local story here.
I’m assuming Swiston said goodbye this week because she can’t attend the Dec. 16 meeting but someone please correct me if I’m mistaken.
Aldermen Stephen Linsky and Mitch Fischman are also leaving the board at the end of this calendar year. I’m presuming they will be recognized Dec. 16.
Rather than thank Ald Tan Swinson for her participation, I’d like to wish her and her family well on this break in service. I’m hoping we hear her voice in gov’t again.
Greer performed an all too rare service on the Board of Alderman. She got in, made her contribution, and then she got out.
I do not always agree with Greer, but I admire the way that she has stuck to her convictions, whether popular or not. She did not seek comfort from the herd. When she felt the need to differ with her colleagues, she did so, and without noise or distraction.
She is extremely patriotic, and demonstrates that through her tireless devotion to civic function. She is an excellent example of public service.
Job well done.
@Greg you are correct. I’m preparing for an overseas speaking engagement and will not be here for the final Board of Alderman meeting of this term.
@Hoss, thank you.
@Bill, it was an honor serving with you.
Greer, Thanks.
I do listen to cable reruns of Board meetings on slow news days one morning a week. I always perk up when Greer stands up to speak. She makes her case with directness and clarity and there’s compelling logic and a strong sense of fairness in her what she says and does. I’m more and more convinced from what I see at the village and area council level, that political gridlock can’t flourish in an environment where leaders and citizens get to know one another while working toward a common objective. Greer exemplifies this quality
Thank you, Greer. Your tireless devotion to West Newton, Newton as a whole, and our country is an inspiration. Add that to your devotion to your family and .. I tire thinking about it! I do not always agree with your views but have been proud to work with you at many village functions, and to share our kids’ accomplishments with each other (since Lemberg…!). Your voice on the BOA will be missed but I know that our village will not lose your guidance and energy. Best of luck with your speaking engagement.
Thanks, Greer, for your many contributions to the city.
I normally don’t agree with Dan Fahey but when he’s right, he’s right.
Thank you Greer for all of your efforts for the Village Center and the merchants in West Newton, and also for giving advice to prospective candidates.
Thank you Greer – very sad to see you leaving the Board.
It’s been an honor, a pleasure and an education to have been of service. Thank you all for your kind words.
For better or for worse, many elected candidates come to office with their own agenda. I never felt that way about Greer. It’s always seemed that her only agenda was to serve the community. Every day she’s been in office I have genuinely felt like my family [and every family in Newton] had an advocate on the Board. Greer is truly an example for others to emulate. If the state Republican party has a lick of sense, they will recruit her for higher office.
Greer ran for State Rep in 2004 and 2012 but unfortunately did not win. I thought she would have won in 2012. I’d vote for her in 2014. If she’s good enough for discerning current and former Newtonites like Mike Striar, Ben Miller, Jeff Seideman and me, she should be good enough for other voters if she ran for a state government related office.