GLOCESTER – Glocester Town Council Vice President Stephen Arnold, who has been a member of the council for the last four years, bowed out gracefully at the recent council meeting, but not before fellow councilors made a point of thanking him for his dedication and service.
“I want to say thank you to Steve Arnold for his service over the last four years,” said Councilor Walter Steere. “I wanted to thank his family for letting us borrow him for four years. It is truly appreciated. Steve, you have gone above and beyond putting the time and the effort in. You will be missed. I appreciate all your efforts. I appreciate getting to know you, not just as a councilor, but as a friend.”
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve this town,” responded Arnold. “I can sleep real well at night, knowing I did the best I could in every situation. I certainly want to thank my family for loaning me out for yet another crazy idea I might have had. There really are no words to describe how fortunate we are to have the people who work for and with this town. Everybody up here. We’ve got a special town. We’ve had a lot of challenges in the last four years. Given the circumstances, we’ve done the best we could. I’m proud of what we’ve managed to do. I just want to wish the next council the best.”
His term included the Covid pandemic with its Zoom meetings and inherent problems, Town Clerk Jean Fecteau told NRI NOW, along with a few years of a divided council, the death of the late Council President Julian Forgue, and with multiple changes to leadership in the Finance Department. The finance upheaval, Fecteau said meant Arnold worked nonstop, every day and many nights with Town Hall staff and Councilor Walter Steere, to craft a sensible budget. Arnold helped with the formation of an additional union group for town staff, and navigated a skate park controversy, the ongoing police station renovation, and much more, Fecteau noted, in what she described as some of the most active four years in her 24 years of elected service.
“Despite it all, Steve gave his all to the town of Glocester and, I, for one, was always extremely proud to say he was part of our Town Council,” said Fecteau. “To a friend and a true gentleman, who helped me do my job, I thank you. To a leader, a mediator, a problem solver, and a fair man, I thank you for your service to our town. I consider myself lucky to have worked with someone like you during your terms in office.”
Arnold, a yacht broker for Southpaw Yachts, told NRI NOW when he walked away from a previous “big job,” many thought he was crazy, but he made a commitment to utilize his newfound time in a productive and meaningful manner. That included volunteering in the community, especially at West Glocester Elementary School, where three of his children were enrolled at the time. He also took on the role of president of Glocester Little League, and joined the Recreation Commission.
“I had never even thought of running for council, until I was approached with the idea,” said Arnold. “I thought that I would be an asset with my business experience, as someone with the perspective of a parent of three kids who were in our school system, and someone who – in my humble opinion – has tried to operate with common sense and objectivity.”
Four years have flown by, and now Arnold said he feels he needs to spend more time with family and building his own business. Being a good councilor, he added, is more than going to meetings – and there is only so much time in a day.
“Simply put – time,” he said of his reason for not seeking another term. “I no longer felt I had the time to be the best councilor I could be, and that is not fair to the community if you are going to ask them to trust you with a vote. For me, being on the council was not a two meeting a month obligation. I have three very busy kids, 3 sport athletes, including a senior in high school, and I am simply unwilling to miss their events due to other obligations. I’ve missed more than I’ve cared to over the last four years, and there is only one window for this season of life with them.”
Leaving is extremely bittersweet, Arnold said, noting he will miss having a voice and working with the amazing people who work for the town.
“We have such a talented and committed group of folks who work for the town,” said Arnold. “Our department heads and their teams are second to none. It can’t be highlighted enough how fortunate we are to have them. I will miss those working relationships the most, but the friendships will remain. I know this is the right decision for my family and for me to step away, but it was far from an easy decision. We live in a very special and unique place – [there’s] no place in RI I would rather live. Being part of ‘Team Glocester’ will forever be one of the greatest honors of my life.”
Steere noted that there were many other town positions where Arnold could help out, besides being a councilor.
“You’re not getting away that easy,” Steere quipped.
Steere added that in recent years, Arnold and other town officials were all working for the same goal: to make Glocester the best it can be.
“We all have our different perspectives, which is important, but you always embody that team goal to make Glocester the best it can be,” aid Steere, a longtime councilor. “Glocester first.”
“I was glad I was able to get you to come on board and do this crazy journey,” said Council President William Worthy. “You have stayed awake a lot of late nights, trying to make sure the town’s budget always passed. Words can’t describe what a great job you did. I am proud to be sitting up here with you, watching you grow. You’re a great human being. Thank you for your service.”
