Courtney O’Keefe and her parents. – Photo by Donald Norton

By Donald Norton

Recommendation was made to the full Board of Alderman to vote on Courtney O’Keefe’s appointment to the seat in Ward 5 recently vacated by Alderman Sean O’Donovan.

The Committee on Confirmation and Appointments met Tuesday night at with Alderman Bruce Desmond presiding over the committee of the whole. Seven aldermen attended, making a quorum. 

The only item on the agenda was that of Courtney O’Keefe and her nomination to fill the Ward 5 Alderman seat.

Aldermen present were Bruce Desmond, Bob Trane, Maureen Bastardi, Maryann Heuston, Rebekah Gewirtz, Dennis Sullivan and Bill White.

O’Keefe had a resume and cover letter submitted to the committee that outlined her reasons why she should be confirmed for the seat.

Alderman Bruce Desmond gave an opportunity for each of the aldermen present to ask their questions. The questions were thorough and thought provoking, and each answer given by O’Keefe appeared to please each of the aldermen present.

The aldermen all seemed genuinely pleased and impressed with her knowledge of the Ward and city as a whole, as well as what she would do as an alderman facing many issues, and was she ready to fight to retain her seat on the board this coming fall. O’Keefe gave each question a thorough and complete answer.

The meeting was brief, with all present seemingly impressed by O’Keefe’s qualifications. Alderman Desmond asked for a vote to send the matter to the Board of Alderman, with a unanimous “yes” as the result.

O’Keefe’s name will be presented at the next regular meeting of the Board of Alderman, scheduled for April 25.

After the meeting was adjourned O’Keefe was quoted as saying she was pleased with the meeting and can’t wait to be voted on by the full board, and is looking forward to working hard for the residents of Ward 5.