Council Term's End Means More Time for Family

With Monday night's Borough Council meeting the last of his three-year term, Don Links is looking forward to spending more time with his family.

Links, who is battling ALS, bowed out of his re-election bid in September and he said in an email Monday he hasn't looked back since he stepped out of the race.

"There was a moment I believe in August when I realized that I couldn't campaign in the manner I wished and I decided at that time it was time to pass the campaign over to others to run," Links said. "Since that time I haven't had one regret in my decision and frankly it has given me time to do things that are much more important.

"As far as my plans after the New Year, well I've learned to take everyday one at a time and to enjoy my time with my children.

"Baseball season will be starting in the spring and I'll be attending my son's games and my daughter will be joining the recreation track team so I'll be watching some track meets.

"As far as watching Madison politics I'll be leaving that to others."

Council terms last through the end of the year and outgoing council members typically are recognized at the reoganization meeting on Jan. 1, but Links is unable to attend that meeting, so Mayor Bob Conley read a proclamation recognizing Links' service at the start of Monday's meeting. Friends and supporters filled Council Chambers, gave him a standing ovation and formed a line to shake his hand and embrace him after the proclamation was read. The other outgoing council member, Dr. Vincent Esposito, is expected to attend the reorganization meeting.

Members of the governing body shared some words about Links.

Council President Jeannie Tsukamoto thanked Links for his "tireless efforts and advocacy for recreation," noting that thousands of children use the Madison Recreation Center he championed.

Esposito said it was very enjoyable campaigning with and serving next to Links, and said Links was one of the premier advocates of the MRC, "which went from paper to reality."

Councilman Bob Landrigan told Links, "You're a fair man, you're a good guy, you're passionate, respectful of everyones opinions," and said Links welcomed him to the governing body by saying, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I know the last couple of months have been really difficult for you and your family," Councilwoman Carmela Vitale said, but added that Links dedicated himself to attending meetings and sharing his views.

Conley said Links made sure the MRC happened, and the center is now "one of the ultimate artificial turf sites in the state."

Apparently referring to a council majority, including Links, voting in February to oust Borough Administrator Ray Codey, which sparked a public outcry, Conley said he loved that Links acknowledged a mistake was made and needed to fixed. The administrator was re-instated the next month.

Command center

Links said in the email his health is a private matter.

"Let's just say I'm doing fine and I'm looking forward to spending more time with my children," he said.

During Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts, "All it (the ALS) meant was that I'd spend time at the command center a few hours at a time and then go home and rest till I returned early in the evening," Links said. "I did a large amount of emailing and texting with residents who contacted me each day and I also spent time driving around town looking at the areas hit the hardest and of course telling the crews what a great job they were doing."

Links said it was an honor being on the council and serving the families of Madison through some very difficult economic times, and said he still plans to keep tuned in to the budget process even though he won't be on the governing body.

"I will be interested in seeing if the borough will continue the modest property tax increases that the current council has done for the last three years," he said.

And Links said he kept his three campaign promises:

"During my campaign I promised three things that I wanted to get done while in office.

"One, was to get Lincoln Place done, which was done during the first year of my term.

"Second, was to get turf fields built for our children, this was done during the second year of my term.

"Third, to control spending and contain property tax increases, this was accomplished during all three years of my term.

"I thank all who supported me for giving me the opportunity to do what I promised to do."