The City of Haverhill named the City Council Chambers after beloved former Mayor Theodore A Pelosi Jr. by placing a plaque outside the Chambers in a ceremony held the evening of January 14th at Haverhill City Council Chambers.
Mayor James Fiorentini in making the announcement said that, “Mayor Pelosi was a great American, a great Mayor and a Great City Council President. He was City Council President longer than anyone in our history and I am honored to name the City Council Chambers after him.” He added, “He was the first Italian American so serve as Mayor of Haverhill,” showing his Italian pride.
Former Mayor James Rurak said that, “No one had more of the city at heart than Ted Pelosi.”
Former Mayor Bill Ryan ran against Pelosi twice but it never was “Personal.” He was very involved in the council and was very opinionated. “I won once and he won once. In the end, Ted told me that we were even.”
Former Mayor John Guerin was inspired by him as a young person. “He was a great man to work with. He was the embodiment of dignity. The gold standard of municipal government.”
Council President John A. Mitchitson said, “Because of Ted Pelosi, Haverhill is a better place.”
Former City Clerk, Barbara MacKinnon put it best: “He was a gentle man.”
Pelosi was a Haverhill City Council for 20 years, served as President for 10 and in 1988 was elected Mayor of Haverhill, where he served for six years.
When you hear stories from city councilors besides four Haverhill former mayors praising him the way they did, you have to admit that he was an exceptional human being, and as such, praises like those are the best legacy any man can pass to his wife, children and community.
Thank you, Mayor Fiorentini. What a wonderful ceremony it was!
