BERLIN– For more than a quarter century Paula Lynch has been a guiding and stabilizing force on the Town Council.
When Lynch announced this month that she would not seek reelection, Berlin’s Mayor Gee Williams and several members of the council and staff of the town reflected on her 26-year legacy.
“She has always provided a steady hand on the tiller as Berlin has navigated through both good times and bad,” Williams said. “I personally have always relied on her good judgment and natural instincts to consider the long-term implications of anything the town does. She always tried to anticipate not only the things you can foresee, but also unforeseen consequences. I think that she is an outstanding role model for anyone who is contemplating public service because of the way she leads by example.
“She doesn’t speak as often as some councilmembers, but when she does she always has something substantive to say,” Williams continued. “I’ve been real fortunate to have served with Paula for the last 10 years – first on the council and later as mayor – and I hope she’s enjoyed these recent years maybe a little more than all the others, because of so much of what she did was preparing for success and she has been able to serve and see the fruits of a lot of that effort. She’s definitely is going to be missed, but my gosh if anybody has ever earned the opportunity to turn over the reins and just enjoy Berlin, that’s her.”
“I didn’t want to see her leave,” said District 1 Councilmember Troy Purnell. “She’s a very good, stable bellwether to keep the town on a nice, steady track. She’s done a great job over the years and I hate to see her stop.”
“I hold Ms. Lynch in the utmost regard,” said District 4 Councilmember Dean Burrell. “She has been and will continue to be a treasure for the town of Berlin. Her service to the town of Berlin and its citizens have been second to none. I am sorry to hear that she is retiring from the council.
“It’s somewhat overwhelming to me to be going to a Berlin Town Council meeting and not have Paula there,” Burrell continued. “Paula is a gem. She is consistent. She is honorable, and she’s just a treasure. She’s going to be leaving some big shoes for somebody to fill.”
“It’s been an honor and a privilege serving on the council with Paula these last six years,” said District 2 Councilmember Lisa Hall. “She’s always been a wealth of knowledge because of her continuity on the council and her history. She was always a good resource for me in budget matters because that was her expertise.
“I think a lot of the progress this town has made – because she’s been on the council since the (Atlantic) hotel was restored, which was the first piece of revitalization of the downtown – her decisions over the years have greatly impacted the progress we’ve made. She’s going to be very hard to replace.”
“I don’t think she should leave,” said Finance Director Natalie Saleh. “Through my time with her, I honestly enjoyed working with somebody who knows accounting. Sometimes we disagree, but we always agree to disagree.
“I’m sad she’s leaving,” Salah continued. “I think she should keep going. Since she’s not leaving (her position as Business Manager) at Worcester Prep, I think she should be on board until the last minute. We’re really going to miss her. I’m just hoping she’s going to change her mind at the last minute. Not many people can be as thorough as her.”
“Councilmember Lynch has been very consistent, but also very open-minded to the direction that Berlin has been heading in during the past nine years that I’ve been here,” said Economic and Community Development Director Michael Day. “Whoever comes along is not going to have her experience, but hopefully they will have a grasp of the desires of the people of Berlin. She certainly understood this town, and she will be missed.”
When Lynch announced this month that she would not seek reelection, Berlin’s Mayor Gee Williams and several members of the council and staff of the town reflected on her 26-year legacy.
“She has always provided a steady hand on the tiller as Berlin has navigated through both good times and bad,” Williams said. “I personally have always relied on her good judgment and natural instincts to consider the long-term implications of anything the town does. She always tried to anticipate not only the things you can foresee, but also unforeseen consequences. I think that she is an outstanding role model for anyone who is contemplating public service because of the way she leads by example.
“She doesn’t speak as often as some councilmembers, but when she does she always has something substantive to say,” Williams continued. “I’ve been real fortunate to have served with Paula for the last 10 years – first on the council and later as mayor – and I hope she’s enjoyed these recent years maybe a little more than all the others, because of so much of what she did was preparing for success and she has been able to serve and see the fruits of a lot of that effort. She’s definitely is going to be missed, but my gosh if anybody has ever earned the opportunity to turn over the reins and just enjoy Berlin, that’s her.”
“I didn’t want to see her leave,” said District 1 Councilmember Troy Purnell. “She’s a very good, stable bellwether to keep the town on a nice, steady track. She’s done a great job over the years and I hate to see her stop.”
“I hold Ms. Lynch in the utmost regard,” said District 4 Councilmember Dean Burrell. “She has been and will continue to be a treasure for the town of Berlin. Her service to the town of Berlin and its citizens have been second to none. I am sorry to hear that she is retiring from the council.
“It’s somewhat overwhelming to me to be going to a Berlin Town Council meeting and not have Paula there,” Burrell continued. “Paula is a gem. She is consistent. She is honorable, and she’s just a treasure. She’s going to be leaving some big shoes for somebody to fill.”
“It’s been an honor and a privilege serving on the council with Paula these last six years,” said District 2 Councilmember Lisa Hall. “She’s always been a wealth of knowledge because of her continuity on the council and her history. She was always a good resource for me in budget matters because that was her expertise.
“I think a lot of the progress this town has made – because she’s been on the council since the (Atlantic) hotel was restored, which was the first piece of revitalization of the downtown – her decisions over the years have greatly impacted the progress we’ve made. She’s going to be very hard to replace.”
“I don’t think she should leave,” said Finance Director Natalie Saleh. “Through my time with her, I honestly enjoyed working with somebody who knows accounting. Sometimes we disagree, but we always agree to disagree.
“I’m sad she’s leaving,” Salah continued. “I think she should keep going. Since she’s not leaving (her position as Business Manager) at Worcester Prep, I think she should be on board until the last minute. We’re really going to miss her. I’m just hoping she’s going to change her mind at the last minute. Not many people can be as thorough as her.”
“Councilmember Lynch has been very consistent, but also very open-minded to the direction that Berlin has been heading in during the past nine years that I’ve been here,” said Economic and Community Development Director Michael Day. “Whoever comes along is not going to have her experience, but hopefully they will have a grasp of the desires of the people of Berlin. She certainly understood this town, and she will be missed.”