Two new faces on Brockton City Council hope to bring "fresh ideas"
A new City Council brings promise of hope for city residents, said Ward 6 Councilor Michelle DuBois, who overcame a challenge to clinch a 64 percent to 35 percent victory at the polls on Tuesday.
“A lot of people feel disenfranchised,” she said. “I see an opportunity to make government more inclusive.”
DuBois was elected to a third term Tuesday when voters also chose Thomas Monahan to represent Ward 2 and Jass Stewart as a councilor-at-large.
“It’s time to have some fresh thinking, different people’s opinions to listen to,” she said.
DuBois said she knows Stewart, who twice ran for mayor and lost, and likes his ideas.
“I have another ally on the council,” she said.
Stewart’s historic election marks the first time a minority was elected to the council. Unlike DuBois, a lifelong resident, he came to Brockton 10 years ago and first ran for office four years ago. This is his first victory, filling a seat being vacated by Mayor-elect Linda Balzotti.
He said he is eager to bring reform to the city, but he may face the learning curve that other councilors have gone through.
Todd Petti, Thomas Brophy and Robert Sullivan were re-elected to councilor-at-large seats on Tuesday. The fourth seat went to Stewart, who came in fourth, leaving four who fought for a seat and lost.
“It took me at least a term, part of a second term, to understand completely the processes that are done,” Petti said. “It’s not always that easy and now, with the economy, it’s even more difficult to get some things through.”
Monahan, filling the seat being vacated by Michael Brady who is serving as a state legislator, said he is committed to making a difference, but he said there are 11 people on the council who must work together.
“Jass seems to have fresh ideas, I have my own ideas,” he said. “We can make a difference if we work together toward a common goal.”
Other councilors were unopposed in their bid for a second term. They are: Ward 1, Timothy Cruise; Ward 3, Dennis Eaniri; Ward 4, Paul Studenski; Ward 5, Dennis Eaniri; Ward 7, Christopher MacMillan
Brockton pays tribute to Allie Colombo, Marciano's friend and trainer
A who's who of Brockton politics and boxing turned out Saturday for a tribute to Allie Colombo, who trained world heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano.
More than 200 people packed the function hall at Joe Angelo's Cafe to listen to stories about the two friends and to raise money for a bronze plaque in Colombo's honor. The marker will be placed with the Marciano statue to be erected this year at the Brockton High School football field.
Colombo died in an accident in January 1969 and Marciano died in a plane crash that August.
Speakers included Marciano's brother, Peter Marciano; Nick Sylvester, a friend of both men; and retired boxers Jimmy Connors, Tony DeMarco and Mike Pusateri, one of Colombo's fighters. Goody Petronelli, who trained former middleweight champ Marvelous Marvin Hagler, was there, along with promoter Richie Cappiello, retired fighters Tony Petronelli, Mike Cappiello and Reinaldo Oliveira Jr. and active fighters Edwin Rodriguez and Mark DeLuca Jr.
Roger Perron, a professional trainer, corner man, cut man and ring announcer, served as master of ceremonies. Perron recalled meeting Colombo and Marciano while bartending at the Club National, an old Brockton bar. “They were two of the most gracious people I ever met,” he recalled.
Among the politicians who participated were Sen. Tom Kennedy, Rep. Mike Brady, Mayor Linda Balzotti and City Councilors Todd Petti and Tom Monahan. Shayna Barnes of Cong. Stephen Lynch's office presented the family with a flag that flew over the Capitol.
George Cataldo sang a few of Colombo's favorite Frank Sinatra songs.
Colombo's widow, Lilly Kehr, and daughters Cindy Jakutis and Jean Shellington attended, along with Eddie Colombo Jr., Pat Colombo, Armond Colombo and many other family members. Denis Marrese organized the event.
Brockton Community Access Television provided video coverage.
For more information, visit rocky49wins.com. See photos from Saturday night's event and more. Read a draft of Rich Bergeron's biography of Colombo. Read more about Marciano at Remembering Rocky.
