Ward 8 City Councilor Cheryl Lappin sent this to colleagues (under the message line “Gronk & I…have come to the same decision”) today..
Dear Colleagues,
I am reaching out to share with you that after 18 years of serving as a Newton City Councilor I have decided not to run for a 10th term.
This was a difficult decision because serving on the City Council has been among the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my life. It has been a privilege to work on behalf of our neighbors in Ward 8, and all residents, to assure that Newton continues to be one of the best places to live. Working with each of you has been amazing! We share a love for the city and have always had our community’s best interest in mind. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and I know that, in your hands, Newton will continue to thrive. There is a lot of important work to do before the end of the term. I look forward to “tackling” it all with you.
Warmest regards,
Cheryl
I will miss serving with my sister, Cheryl. When my father passed away in 2001 she stepped out of her comfort zone and stepped up to serve the public, and serve she did, with competence, class and grace. She fought for the things she believed in and assisted those that needed a conduit to local government. She showed up, she stood up, and she put up with a lot to nobly represent the City and us all.
Ward 8 and the entire City owes gratitude and gives thanks to Cheryl for the time committed and a job well done. I’m so blessed to have had this unique experience of working with a sibling in government. I know my father would be as proud of her as I am today.
Cheryl has been a terrific Ward 8 Councilor. She is extremely responsive, professional and genuine. Her detail in following up with constituents has been truly appreciated. She will be missed and her service will be a great loss to Ward 8.
Wishing her the best!
Congratulations to Cheryl Lappin. I always had the highest respect and fondness for her, and I am certain she will be very much missed by her colleagues in government as well as her constituents. Best wishes to you, Cheryl!
And I would also love to see her spike a football on her way out of City Hall!
Thank you Cheryl for your service, your focus on what is best for our City, and your natural ability to act as a role model. I’ve learned so much from you: how to take a balanced view of items before us, how to listen more than talk, how to serve and be responsive with constituents, how to push respectfully on areas you disagree with, and how to get things done in City Hall. You will truly be missed. Congratulations on your decision and I look forward to hearing what you’ll be doing with your new found time!
Cheryl, thank you for your service, and you’re leaving an incredible legacy for others to live up to.
(I also second @Ted’s suggestion for the celebratory football spike)
What a loss for the city! I have learned so much from Councilor Lappin in the short time I have served with her. She is been paramount to my success on understanding the history and complexity of issues on the Finance Committee. I will miss working with her.
Cheryl, your independent voice, your leadership, and your advocacy for Ward 8 residents will be sorely missed!
I’ve always enjoyed watching Cheryl on the council, but I really got to know her last election when we worked on Matthew Miller’s campaign together. She is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people. Her voice will be badly missed on the City Council.
She’s more than earned the right to go out on her own terms and we owe her our gratitude for her service.
Cheryl has been a distinguished colleague who led by example as well as insight. I have had the privilege of working with her, as well as seeing her work so well with others. As they say in show business, she will be a tough act to follow. Good luck, Cheryl. In the meantime, we still have nine months of her service on the Council to look forward to.
I’m an area councilor from Newton Highlands and every contact and encounter I have had with Cheryl has been productive and positive. She’s a wonderful listener who chooses her words carefully and with thoughtful compassion. She treats everyone with respect whether she agrees with them or not.
Cheryl, thanks for your contributions and years of service. Ward 8 will miss you and the city of newton will sorely miss you. You always took on issues with dignity and grace. Good luck with your next journey in life.
As a lifelong resident of Ward 8, a previous member of the Human Rights Commission and the LGBTQ liaison for two Mayors I will sorely miss working with my friend Cheryl. Any time I called as a constituent she always would get back to me right away. She was always with me on social justice and civil rights issues.
Thank you Cheryl.
The city and Ward 8 will miss you Cheryl. Good luck!
Wow! Thank you all for the kind words. My time on the Board/Council has been and continues to be rewarding, not only for the work that I get to do, but for the meaningful and lasting relationships I have been lucky enough to make with colleagues and residents. I look forward to finishing my term with you all.