The recent election in Arnold proved one thing — Karen Peconi Biricocchi wanted the job more than Councilman Phillip McKinley.

Her campaign can be described in one word: “determination.” Ms. Peconi Biricocchi knocked on my door and also sent me a personal letter asking for my vote. Congratulations to her and I wish her the very best for the next four years. I hope she shows the same determination performing her duties as mayor as she did during her campaign.

Although she doesn’t officially assume office until after the November election, her win is virtually guaranteed. No Republican ran in the primary so she has no competition.

Congratulations also are in order for our first female police chief, Shannon Santucci-Davis. This appointment might be short lived, however. Historically, a new mayor has appointed a police chief of his choice. That’s how Chief Willie Weber got his job.

Mayor Peconi Biricocchi’s son is a police officer and could be promoted to police chief. There is no proof this will happen, but it remains a possibility — especially in Arnold, where nepotism runs rampant and everyone in city hall seems to be related.

As current Mayor Larry Milito said about nepotism in the article “Audience questions irritate police chief” (June 10), “This is what we do. We hire family.”

In that same article, retiring police Chief Weber had an outburst over comments about the hiring of his sister, Amy Dziobak, as city clerk. My bet is if Willie had it to do over again, he would have controlled his temper.

Unfortunately, a spoken word can never be retracted so he might consider this encounter a lesson learned the hard way.

Rudy Gagliardi

Arnold

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