See you later, Councilor Linehan

Video highlights from this week's council meeting, where the Council bids farewell and congratulations to District 2 City Councilor Bill Linehan.

At this week’s Council meeting, one by one each Council member stood to wish one of their partners in government adieu. Bill Linehan performed his last motion as Chair of the Planning & Development Committee by suspending and passing Docket #1321, a grant appropriation allowing the City of Boston to accept $1.5M from Massachusetts Port Authority -- funds that will be used in the South Boston community to mitigate port related activities with special interest in youth, sports, and open space opportunities. The Councilor’s closing statement to the body regarding the motion was, “My last day, my last matter, something sustainable for the district. It’s important going forward. Please support this matter.” And they did!

The chamber was filled not only with joy and emotion, but with elected officials both past and present, including Mayor Martin J. Walsh and former Mayor and Ambassador to the Vatican, Raymond Flynn. The Councilor’s children and his loving wife of over 40 years, Judy, we’re all in attendance.Councilor Linehan closed the book on 10 years of public service as a Boston City Councilor and 43 years as a public employee of the City. He went down the line thanking his staff, central staff, and each Councilor individually for their friendship, banter, debate, and interaction over the years. He did so with specific examples, lots of laughter, cheer, and some comedic relief. One by one, the other Councilors returned the favor, as a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0l_tfzWYR8" rel="nofollow">video montage</a> played in the background.Councilor Linehan’s last action as a Councilor was to gavel the Council meeting to a close as he received the crystal gavel. The Council is going to miss him, but we wish him nothing but the best on his future endeavors.