Christopher Sikes: Councilor Elmer served city well 

As someone once said, 80% of the success in life is just showing up. The same sentiment applies to local government. When more people are involved, it improves the opportunities for better public safety, education, social welfare. We attract more outside resources. Most of all, we increase our quality of life.

Philip Elmer showed up soon after he moved to Greenfield. He was elected to a four-year term as an at-large member of the City Council. He chaired the Economic Development Committee. I saw firsthand how much work was involved going to meetings, being on phone calls, addressing issues and the concerns of constituents.

In addition to the normal duties of creating a budget, affirming appointments, voting on tax rates, and zoning bylaws, certain issues like the French King zoning, expanding budgets for the fire station and the library soaked up unexpected amounts of time.

City Council members get a $2,000 per year annual stipend. By my rough calculation, Philip worked an average of 20 hours per week every week of the year which comes to $1.92 an hour, far below the state minimum wage of $15. All this is to say, thank you Philip Elmer for showing up and making your invaluable contribution. You aren’t getting a gold watch or a formal commendation as you step down, but you get the appreciation from someone who saw your effort to make Greenfield a better place.

Christopher Sikes

Northfield