Just two months after being inaugurated into his third term as a Westbrook city councilor, Ed Symbol resigned Monday in order to pursue a seat on the city’s School Committee.
Symbol, 42, was nominated Sunday by the Westbrook Republican Committee to fill a seat on the School Committee vacated by Jack Gorsuch, who resigned three weeks ago. The School Committee will vote Wednesday to accept Symbol onto the board through December 2009.
Previously, Symbol served two, four-year terms on the School Committee. With school consolidation, the search for a new superintendent to replace the retiring Stan Sawyer and the middle school building project all moving forward, Symbol said, he’s eager to be back on the board.
“I think my experience probably fits better with the School Committee,” he said Monday.
Symbol said there is “no underlying secret” for his leaving the council. He said he did not anticipate a vacancy on the School Committee and fully intended to complete his two-year term on the council.
At Symbol’s final council meeting Monday, Council President Brendan Rielly made a motion to have Symbol finish the meeting in the role of president. The council voted 6-1 to approve the motion – with Symbol opposed.
As Symbol stood at the podium, his fellow councilors thanked him for his work.
“Folks in Ward 3 were really well represented,” said Councilor Drew Gattine, who applauded Symbol for his “willingness to take difficult and unpopular positions.”
“It’s really the school board’s gain and our loss,” said Councilor Suzanne Joyce. “You’ve been a great voice for the ward and a great voice for the whole city.”
Rielly called Symbol’s service to the city on the School Committee, Planning Board and City Council a “hat trick deluxe,” considering his additional participation on “about 5,000 committees.”
Though Rielly said he will miss Symbol on the council, he looks forward to meeting him as a School Committee member come budget season.
The Republican Committee is seeking nominations from residents of Ward 3 to fill Symbol’s seat on the council. Those interested can contact Martha Day at 939-3427, or e-mail westbrookrepublicans@gmail.com.
Ed Symbol sits waiting for the start of his final City Council meeting Monday. The Westbrook School Committee will vote Wednesday to accept the Republican Committee’s nomination of Symbol to fill a vacant seat on the board.Send questions/comments to the editors.
