Councilors aren't paid extra for committee chairmanships, which instead provide exposure and status in controlling the schedule of key items.
HOLYOKE -- Ward 2 Councilor Anthony Soto called President Kevin A. Jourdain a "coward" and Jourdain replied that Soto has been "a Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-like character" in a dispute about committee assignments.
The president's appointment of the 15 councilors to committees, including somewhat coveted chairmanships, usually is routine at the outset of a new two-year term, but not this time.
Councilors are paid $10,000 a year each, and the president receives an additional $1,000.
No extra pay comes with a chairmanship, but leading a committee, especially higher-profile ones like Finance and Ordinance, provides a level of exposure and status, as chairmen decide when key items get considered.
Jourdain booted Soto as chairman of the Public Safety Committee, the only councilor involuntarily removed as a committee head.
This came after Soto led an unsuccessful drive to remove Jourdain as president in favor of previous president Joseph M. McGiverin. Councilors reelected Jourdain president with 9 votes to 6 for McGiverin on inauguration day Jan. 6.
Soto said his removal as chairman was political payback for trying to replace Jourdain with McGiverin.
"No doubt about it, no question about it. He's definitely shown his true colors. He's not a leader. A leader can disagree with someone" without retaliating, Soto said in an interview Jan. 14.
In a later email, Soto said Jourdain failed to tell him personally he was being removed as chairman or what his committee assignments were.
"No call from Kevin or any communication whatsoever to discuss an assignment. This shows what a coward Kevin really is," Soto said.
Jourdain said Soto knew his removal as chairman was coming. He placed faith in Soto two years ago by naming the freshman councilor a committee chairman, given Soto's experience as a Fire Commission member, he said.
"Unfortunately, I have to be honest and say it was a big mistake. Over the last two years, I have witnessed a 'Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'-like character ...," Jourdain said.
Jourdain went on to say, "Soto has been a very large disappointment overall and needs to learn a lot more about temperament and collegiality if ever wishes to be an effective councilor."
As for Soto's contention of political reprisal, Jourdain said it should be noted Ward 6 Councilor Todd A. McGee voted for McGiverin as president in 2012 and Jourdain kept him on as Finance Committee chairman. McGee, who voted for Jourdain this time, is again Finance Committee chairman.
Ward 1 Councilor Gladys Lebron-Martinez voted for McGiverin this time but will continue as chairwoman of the Joint Committee of the School Committee and City Council, Jourdain said.
Ward 5 Councilor Linda L. Vacon is new chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee. Also on that committee are James M. Leahy, Jennifer E. Chateauneuf, Howard B. Greaney Jr. and Daniel B. Bresnahan.
Joining McGee on the Finance Committee are Peter R. Tallman, Jourdain, Leahy and Vacon.
Rebecca Lisi returns as chairwoman of the Ordinance Committee. Also on that committee are Gordon P. Alexander, David K. Bartley, Vacon and Chateauneuf.
Bresnahan, an at large councilor, is the new chairman of the Public Service Committee. Previous chairman Tallman asked to step down, Jourdain said. Also on that committee are Jossie M. Valentin, McGIverin, Soto and Tallman.
Bartley is the new chairman of the Redevelopment Committee. Aaron M. Vega, the previous chairman, is a state representative. Also on that committee are McGiverin, Valentin, Lebron-Martinez and Alexander.
Alexander is the new chairman of the Charter and Rules Committee, replacing Brenna Murphy McGee, who was elected city clerk. Also on that committee are Jourdain, McGee, Bresnahan and Soto.
Chateauneuf and Greaney also are on the committee of councilors and school board members.