Mayor Robert Corradino Commemorates 6 departing Common Council Members

OSWEGO – 6 of 7 Common Council seats were replaced after November’s election —1st ward’s Kyle Walton, 2nd ward’s Shawn Burridge, 3rd ward’s Jesse Vanucchi, 4th ward’s Shawn Walker, 5th ward’s John Gosek, and 7th ward’s Christopher Squitieri all said goodbye at last night’s Common Council meeting.

Mayor Robert Corradino delivered a certificate to each member before giving them the floor. “This certificate is proudly presented to ‘fill-the-name-in’ in grateful recognition of your service commitment and dedication to the city of Oswego, and its residents,” said Corradino.

1st to speak was Kyle Walton from the 1st ward. “Thank you so much to the residents of the 1st ward for allowing me to be your councillor for the last 2 years,” said Walton, “it’s really taught me a lot. I’ve had the immense pleasure of getting to know, talk, and work with.” He wished the incoming councilors good fortune, including the new 1st ward Council member, Chance Kennedy.

7th Ward’s Christopher Squitieri gave a warning to incoming council members, saying, “heads up to the new councilors coming in,” citing a learning curve. “I know it’s supposed to be a part-time job, but it really isn’t. Call your constituents back,” said Squitieri, “to my constituents, I’ll still be around. I don’t need a desk to support this city.”

2nd Ward’s Shawn Burridge thanked his constituents and all the people working for the city of Oswego, saying he enjoyed working with and for them. “I’m going to miss this surprisingly, as much as every single day I wake up, I answer that phone, it seems to be a long, long day. I’ve enjoyed most of it. I’m glad I was able to help out where I could. I’m glad I made some excellent friends out of this,” said Burridge.

4th Ward’s Shawn Walker thanked the Mayor and wished the remaining Councillor, 6th Ward’s Timothy Plunkett, good luck. “It’s been a long 18 years here. I made a lot of friends—a couple of enemies. I just really would like to thank everybody, the city is moving along well, and I appreciate all the department heads and city employees for being nothing but great to us. Thank the 4th ward. They supported me for 18 years. You got a good man coming in, I think he’ll do a real good job,” said Walker.

3rd Ward’s Jesse Vanucchi hopes he gave his constituents full attention. He thanked the Mayor, VPW, Fire and Police chiefs, and Plunkett. “Everyone was great to work with. It’s a learning curve. I wish the incoming councilor the best. Free to wish out to me at any time, Happy Holidays, and thanks again.”

5th Ward’s John Gosek spoke last. “It’s been a good run. I just want to thank everyone in the 5th ward and everyone in the city of Oswego. It’s been the honor of my life to represent the city that I love. I think you can say without a doubt the quality of life has improved in the last 10 years,” said Gosek, “every day I see people and people tell me that the city is so much better than when they grew up here.” Gosek cites Corradino and former Mayor Billy Barlow as the catalyst for an improved Oswego.

After the comments, Corradino handed out mugs reading “thank you for your dedicated service to the city of Oswego. After handing out the mugs, Corradino joked, “parties over, get back to work.”

New 1st Ward Councilor Chance Kennedy spoke at the open session at the meeting. He expressed displeasure with comments made at last Monday’s meeting regarding new incoming Council members ‘not knowing what they are doing.’

“I found that sentiment disappointing, not because it hurt my feelings, it didn’t, but because it runs counter to the very spirit that has rebuilt so many parts of our city,” said Kennedy, “every leader, including every person in this room, started somewhere. Growth is not a flaw, learning is not a weakness, and asking questions is the hallmark of responsible decision-making, not incompetence.”

This is also coming off the back of the Mayor expressing his desire to hold an orientation for new Council members. Corradino views the orientation as a way to curve the steep learning curve, having been a full-term council member.

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