Photo by Joanne Beck.
After persevering through illness, surgery, recovery, and admittedly being quite tired -- she was ready.
Patti Pacino, City Councilwoman, committee member, volunteer, advocate, cheerleader, educator, counselor, supporter, participant, friend, and outspoken when necessary, decided that it was time to announce her retirement.
And on Monday evening, with some of her biggest fans in the audience, Pacino was celebrated for her years of contributions during City Council’s conference session at City Hall.
A proclamation was drafted that listed her many efforts, including:
- Her 13 years of service in representing the Second Ward as councilwoman
- Serving as alumni coordinator for Genesee Community College and Career Center coordinator for Batavia High School
- Performing duty as liaison to the Batavia Business Improvement District’s board, co-chair of the Volunteer Selection Committee and Memorial Day Parade Committee
- Her steadfast involvement with the Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee, Genesee-Orleans Council on the Arts, Kiwanis Club of Batavia, and Girl Scouts of Genesee Valley Inc.
And most notably, while on the council, she was “a true public servant, winning the support of her ward in two consecutive elections, advocating for residents and neighborhoods, and always having the best interests of the City of Batavia at heart.”
Now, therefore, be it resolved, the proclamation states, “the City Council of the City of Batavia does hereby congratulate Patti Pacino, City of Batavia Council Member, on her retirement, and wish her, and her family, good health and happiness for years to come.”
A soft-spoken Pacino said that she’s working on her walking ability after having surgery for a brain tumor in December 2022. She reflected on her time with the BID board.
“I remember probably the best 13 years of my life with a committee that I'm not sure everybody understands and realizes how much they put into this, how much time and effort and caring they put into the City of Batavia, and I miss that part,” she said. “But I won't miss the council because I'll still be here to talk to them whenever they need me or whenever they don't need me.”
Pacino officially retired from her role on council during a meeting on March 28.
