Alderman-at-Large Bill White reads a citation from the Board of Aldermen recognizing Police Chief Anthony Holloway for his service to the city, as Mayor Joseph Curtatone (left), Holloway, and his wife, Andra Todd Dreyfus, look on. Tom Champion speaks to the Board of Aldermen after being recognized for his service to the city. ~Photos by Tom Nash By Tom Nash Police Chief Anthony Holloway and City Communications Director Tom Champion were recognized by the Board of Aldermen last Thursday for their contributions to the city. Both were finishing their last week of service, with Holloway leaving after two years as chief to serve as police chief in his native Clearwater, Fla. and Champion taking a communications position with Bluewater Holdings in Needham after nearly five years with the city. In addition to praise from Mayor Joseph Curtatone for helping make City Hall more accessible to residents, aldermen cited Champion's collaboration with them during his five-year tenure and celebrity status as the voice behind the city's reverse-911 service as assets to the city. Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero said he was worried at first that Curtatone's plan to robo-call residents with city information would give him an unfair political advantage – which gave Champion his big break as the voice of the city. Four years later, Pero said the improved communication had won him over, and the recognition Champion's voice has received as a Somerville cultural icon has helped bring awareness to the city's communication efforts.

"I'd like to be one of those who gets him on my answering machine," Pero added.

When receiving his citation from the board, Champion stressed his service to the city came as a result of his admiration for Curtatone.

"The reason this has been one of the great experiences of my life is serving as the mouthpiece of a great administration," Champion said.

Both Curtatone and the Aldermen also took turns lauding Holloway, with almost all noting his community policing policy as a drastic improvement.

"He's been everything as advertised in this job," Curtatone said. "Tony Holloway not only talked community policing, he walked it."

"I've never seen anyone go out and meet a community as fast as you did," Alderman-at-Large Bruce Desmond added.

"We're sad to see him go," Curtatone concluded. "We don't want to see him go, but we wish him well."

Holloway credited Curtatone for pushing to bring the police chief position outside of the civil service system, allowing a nationwide search, and his staff.

"(Curtatone) took a gamble, and I appreciate that," Holloway said. "When I came here, (Curtatone) gave me what I needed … My staff … they gave me a chance to just be me."

"It's been great," he added. "It's been like a second family."

Deputy Chief Michael Cabral has been named acting chief until Curtatone selects a replacement. No word has come on when Champion will be replaced.