SAYREVILLE – With their departure from the Sayreville Borough Council, two members have been recognized for their service to the governing body.
The council’s final meeting of 2018, which occurred on on Dec. 17, also marked the final meeting for Councilmen Steven Grillo and Pat Lembo on the governing body. Both departing council members were recognized for serving on the Borough Council and presented with plaques in their honor.
“We have two champions who we wish to thank, to send them into the future and to wish them the very best,” Mayor Kennedy O’Brien said. “It’s not an easy thing when you run for office because you’re putting yourself out there and you’re subject to compliments and criticism. It takes somebody of exceptional willpower and fortitude who knows what they are.”
Grillo, an independent, joined the Borough Council as a Democrat in 2016. He did not seek re-election in the 2018 council race.
“I have grown to admire [Grillo] greatly, who has been a wonderful servant of the people of Sayreville,” O’Brien said while presenting the plaque. “You have proof that, in fact, you served your people well and you served your people proud.”
Lembo, a Republican, also joined the council in 2016. He ran for a new three-year term in the 2018 council race, but was not re-elected.
“[Lembo] taught me to speak Italian that I never knew, everything with food and compliments or the opposite of compliments” O’Brien said. “A great guy, he has always been active in Sayreville, he raised his daughters here, he’s now a grandfather and we will miss you. You brought something to the council that it needed and your desire and wish to bring everyone together was both recognized and appreciated.”
In his comments, Grillo began by recognizing Lembo, whom he campaigned against for council in 2015.
“Councilman Lembo and I ran against each other three years ago on opposite tickets,” Grillo said. “We tried to keep that campaign clean and focus on the issues. I think we did that quite well and that led to mutual respect. I’ve been very fortunate to work with Councilman Lembo on a number of special projects and subcommittees. I think it shows that bipartisanship can be achieved if you work for it and you want it. I’m very proud of that and very proud of my friendship and partnership with Councilman Lembo. I want to wish you the best of luck.”
Grillo also thanked the borough’s professionals and the other members of the governing body.
“I wish the same to my other council colleagues and our borough professionals,” he said. “Thank you for your service and good luck in the rest of your term. I certainly want to thank the mayor for extending to me an open hand, not a closed fist, which could have been done since we come from different political ideologies. But from day one, he recognized the importance of working together and we’ve done some very good things in this community. I thank you for your service and I hope that it continues.”
Former Assemblyman and Sayreville resident John Wisniewski, who was in attendance at the meeting, was described by Grillo as his mentor.
“John served this community for 22 years in the legislature and he is my friend and my mentor,” Grillo said. “John taught me more about government, politics and the law than I ever thought I’d know. Most of my accomplishments I achieved here are really due to John’s guidance and inspiration.”
He also recognized his wife, Lauren Bayer.
“You are my rock, you are my stability and you are my inspiration through a lot of difficult times and as any of us can tell you, being a council member’s spouse is a long, lonely job sometimes, so thank you for having the determination you do,” Grillo said.
Grillo concluded his comments by thanking the residents of Sayreville.
“Thank you to the people of this town,” he said. “There are 45,000 people that I serve and I’m proud to do it. This is perhaps the greatest responsibility and honor of my life. I thank you all so much for choosing me to represent you and for having the faith in me to follow through and complete my term. Thank you all so much for this opportunity.”
Lembo voiced praise of the officials in Sayreville and emphasized the importance of acting in the best interest of residents when serving on the governing body.
“It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve with my colleagues, the mayor and our professionals,” Lembo said. “Sayreville is very fortunate to have a team of dedicated professionals like this. Three years ago when I took office, the one promise I made to myself and to the residents is that I will always act in the best interest of the residents, not any political party. I leave today knowing I lived up to that and I encourage the incoming councilmen to make that same commitment to themselves. Thank you very much, it’s truly been a pleasure.”
