Whoever made it happen knew what he was doing.
City councilors Tuesday approved the latest "Dave Lepore Volunteer of the Year" nominee, honoring a resident whose unpaid service on a municipal board or commission was exemplary.
This time around, they picked Joel Wulff, the former chairman of the city's Water Board, a man that Mayor William Stortz dumped from the panel after decades of service.
Until Stortz entered the picture after the 2005 race, city leaders had long hailed Wulff's leadership of the Water Board as exactly what they wanted. He knew the issues. He knew the players. Wulff, they all said, was the epitomy of a solid volunteer, willing to devote his time and energy to help the city.
Stortz, obviously, disagreed. And since mayors tend to win most of the fights they pick, Wulff was forced out.
But he got some recognition for his service, which is nice, and he got it because someone wanted to stick it to the mayor.
That happens, too.
At the same meeting that Wulff got the nod for the annual award, councilors also approved a new four-year term as water superintendent for Leonard Valentino, another guy that Stortz would rather see gone.
Valentino had planned to retire this year -- he's more or less working for free now because his pension would almost match his $100,000+ yearly salary -- but stayed on because he did not want Stortz to pick his successor. Look for him to retire if Stortz loses in November.
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