The city clerk’s post – What a difference a week makes

By Joshua Resnek

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Political commitments have a way of changing from hour to hour when an important appointment requires six votes of the Revere City Council.

Such is the case this week with at least five councilors giving their support to former Mayor and now City Councilor-at-Large Robert Haas for the recently vacated city clerk’s position.

Early support for local attorney Lawrence Simeone and more recent support for Assistant City Clerk Ashley Melnik have coalesced almost overnight into commanding support for Haas.

At least five councilors are now apparently supporting Haas, who has remained quiet and ambiguous publicly about his aspirations. When asked about whether or not he was seeking the position last week, Haas was perfunctory.

“Of course I’m interested,” he said. However, he added that he wasn’t seeking the city clerk’s position and was surprised to hear that some of his colleagues were privately pushing his candidacy.

What a difference a week makes.

“I think he is fully qualified to be the next city clerk,” said City Councillor- at-Large John Correggio.

Last week, Correggio said he was leaning toward Melnik, who is Councillor-at- Large George Colella’s choice.

Councillor George Rotondo, seeking an at-large seat, is also apparently willing to give his vote to Haas, as are the other at-large candidates for re-election, excluding City Council President Dan Rizzo.

Rizzo is committed to City Assessor John Verrengia.

If the city clerk’s position were offered to Haas and he accepted, he has allegedly said he would immediately resign his at-large seat.

A move like that would dramatically change the at-large race by opening up a seat.

It is believed At-Large Councilor Tony Zambuto would throw his support to Haas in such a scenario.

Councillors John Powers and Ira Novoselsky remain uncommitted, although Novoselsky is close with Haas, sharing breakfast with him five mornings a week at the Bagel Bin on Shirley Avenue.

Former City Clerk John Henry has said he is firmly committed to Melnik, but of course, Henry has virtually no say in the matter.

He has no vote.