In Farewell Speech, Framingham Mayor Spicer Not Saying Goodbye

Framingham MA

16 December, 2021

7:51 PM

Description

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Outgoing Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer — the city's first — bid farewell to residents in an emotional speech Thursday night, covering topics ranging from racism to the city's credit rating. Spicer was elected in Framingham's first city election in 2017, defeating now-City Councilor John Stefanini. She began a televised farewell address at 7 p.m. Thursday with a video featuring photos from public events over the last four years along with audio from her 2018 inauguration speech. Spicer said she came into office in 2018 with five "pillars" to guide her first term. Those included a smooth transition to a city form of government, excellence in education, investing in the economy, preserve asset and investing in city residents. She said she felt she made strides in those areas, but her predecessor should continue what she started. The former Framingham teacher and Museum of Science executive highlighted achievements like a MassWorks grant for road improvements in Nobscot, the city's AA2 bond rating and $16.5 million in the stabilization fund. But she said her tenure wasn't perfect. "I'll be the first to admit, I made some mistakes as anyone embarking on a new endeavor will do," she said. "Change is hard after 317 years of town history." On Jan. 1, former city councilor Charlie Sisitsky will take the reins. Sisitsky defeated Spicer in the November election by more than 4,000 votes, assembling support from all corners of Framingham's political scene — including state Reps. Jack Lewis and Maria Robinson, School Committee Chair Adam Freudberg, and many City Councilors including Chair George King and Vice Chair Adam Steiner. Spicer also reflected on becoming the first Black woman popularly elected mayor of a city in Massachusetts. Former Cambridge mayor E. Denise Simmons was the first, but was picked by the City Council rather than voters. Spicer said she broke a "concrete ceiling," but met resistance in office. "Breaking that ceiling came at a price. I was not a candidate that some expected or wanted," she said, "Over the past four years I certainly have experienced my share of racism, sexism and misogynistic behavior." Spicer and members of her administration have clashed with City Councilors and other local political forces. One year ago, messages Spicer sent about her adversaries on City Council went public. She spent much of early 2021 fighting the Council over a fix for a deficit in the city's water and sewer funds that ended in a hike in water and sewer fees. The outgoing mayor said she would continue over the next 16-1/2 days to lead the city, but admitted that she was looking forward to "a good night's sleep and hot cup of coffee." She also wished Sisitsky well as he takes office. "At noon on Jan. 1, 2022, I will no longer be your mayor. But this is by no means goodbye. I will continue to be a Framingham resident, neighbor and a friend," she said. "Like Framingham, there's no quit in me." Watch Spicer's full farewell address on Framingham's Government Channel. You can also read the full speech here: Mayor Spicer Farewell Final by neal mcnamara on Scribd