A fond farewell: Awad calls for civility on way out

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

Published on August 22, 2008

In leaving the Select Board after more than eight years, Anne Awad is asking residents to take up a more civil tone and show greater respect toward each other when they have disagreements.

A celebration of Awad's tenure on the board Monday night included more than 50 well wishers, both current and former Select Board and Town Meeting members, and a cake from Atkins Farms Country Market with words on the frosting reading simply "Thanks Anne."

Awad said she has enjoyed the 40 years she has made her home in Amherst. "It's been a wonderful town, and I will always have a real love for this town," said Awad, who with husband Robie Hubley purchased a home in South Hadley earlier this year.

But she added that she is concerned about an element in town that gets angry and becomes uncivil when they do not see votes and decisions in the same way.

"We have to work on that here in Amherst," Awad said. "Everybody loves Amherst, even if we disagree on the issues."

Though Awad said she doesn't have a lot of regret in departing before her term is up, she is continuing to think about the reasons for leaving. "I have to spend some more time reflecting on what happened," she said.

Awad's resignation, effective Aug. 31, was prompted, she said, by threats made by an Amherst resident, and not her purchase of the South Hadley home. But Awad said she is not rethinking her decision to step down, noting that staying on might have created more ugliness. She was referring to Town Meeting member Larry Kelley photographing her at her South Hadley home and using his blog to question her residency status.

"I agree that it was free speech, but to me it crossed the line and caused physical fear," Awad said.

Select Board Chairman Gerry Weiss, who presented Awad with a clock on behalf of the board, said he will miss the friendship and advice he received from Awad.

"You've served with dignity, intelligence, experience and camaraderie, and I've appreciated working with you," Weiss said.

Weiss said he will not look at her resignation as depriving the board. "Rather than experience this as seven months of your service denied, I feel that you gave two-and-a-half years more than I expected," Weiss said. He estimated Awad attended upwards of 400 meetings.

Board member Diana Stein, as well as former member Rob Kusner, both spoke to the tutelage and mentoring Awad offered. And board member Stephanie O'Keeffe, who joined was elected in April, said Awad's commitment was admirable.

"I'm absolutely in awe of your willingness to do this for so long," O'Keeffe said.

Appreciation

Town Meeting member Isaac BenEzra, who credits Awad with being instrumental in efforts to have smoking prohibited in Amherst bars, said the turnout of supporters at the farewell event was important. "People need to stand up when they believe there is an injustice," BenEzra said. "This may be a first step toward achieving that."

Besides the cake, the spread enjoyed by those who came to say their good-byes included coffee and bottled water, along with a variety of fruits and dips and plates of cheese and crackers. This was prepared by the town manager's administrative assistant Judith Arcamo and human resources director Eunice Torres, and funded by board members and others with no use of town money.

Former Select Board member Harry Brooks offered praise to Awad. "Working with Anne in this town has been a wonderful pleasure," Brooks said.

Hilda Greenbaum, a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, thanked Awad for making Amherst town government more open. BenEzra added that Awad strengthened other committees. "She made a major contribution to expanding and diversifying dozens and dozens of town committees," BenEzra said,

State Rep. Ellen Story, D-Amherst, said Awad's hard work on the Select Board coincided with the extraordinary performance at her private job as president and CEO of the Springfield-based Caring Health Center.

Town Manager Larry Shaffer added that Awad always exhibited grace under pressure, making it look easy to be a Select Board member. "We all owe Anne a great deal," Shaffer said.

Flowers picked in Amherst were accompanied by a card from BenEzra that read: "These flowers are to acknowledge the crime you committed when you went out to nurture your garden at your new love nest. I sentence you to long life in your new nest."

In her closing remarks, Awad said she appreciated all the letters of thanks she has received and noted that it was being on the Select Board that led to her meeting Hubley, dating and then marrying him.