Minoa — Minoa Mayor Richard Donovan recently announced he will not seek reelection in March and is retiring from the village board after serving 26 years, including 12 years as mayor.
“It’s been one hell of a ride,” said Donovan, “To know I had the support and trust of the community for such a long time is truly an honor.”
Donovan, 71, said his reason for retiring is that it is simply time to step aside after decades of public service.
Donovan’s list of service to the community for the past 44 years is an extensive one. It includes 20 years in Minoa-Kirkville Athletic Association (MKAA), now ESM Youth Sports, including three years as president, and almost nine years as a volunteer EMT and fireman with the Minoa Volunteer Fire Department. Donovan served on the Minoa Village Board of Trustees for 26 years and served as mayor for the past 12 years. In 2012, Donovan was elected by his peers to serve as the president of the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM).
As for who will succeed him in as head of the village, Donovan, politically affiliated with the Resource Party, said he has worked extensively with Deputy Mayor Bill Brazill, politically affiliated with the Trust Party, who will seek the position of mayor in the upcoming March election.
“It was a planned process to get him prepared. There’s a lot to the job that people don’t realize,” said Donovan. “Bill has been there with me all through my term as mayor and I’ve involved him in everything that I’ve done, from different contacts I’ve made to committees I’m involved with … Bill is a very hard worker.”
Brazill has been on the Minoa Village Board for 14 years, including 12 years as deputy mayor. Before that, he served 10 years as the village justice in Minoa, but was talked into running for the village board by Donovan and former mayor John Regan.
continued — “I’ve learned from him [Donovan] and everything he’s done. It’s such a great opportunity and I’m excited looking to the future if the voters decide they want to elect me as their mayor,” said Brazill.
So far, no other individuals have contacted the village clerk about running for mayor, Donovan said.
In his retirement, Donovan said he hopes to cross some items off his bucket list while staying involved with the community and possibly finding a part-time job that will allow him to do so.
“I’m not the type of person to sit at home and watch TV,” said Donovan. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to have served for so long and have the confidence of the residents. … It’s an honor I share with the great community and staff I’ve worked with over the years.”
The Eagle Bulletin will have a full profile of Donovan and his time in public service after he leaves office in April.
