Incoming, outgoing Revere mayors pass symbolic ‘keys’

REVERE – On a painfully frigid winter day, Revere said goodbye to one leader and hello to a new one.City officials and residents gathered on the front steps of Revere City Hall to see the exchanging of the keys ceremony. Mayor Thomas G. Ambrosino handed over the keys to mayor-elect Dan Rizzo in a symbolic gesture of the exchange of leadership.Ambrosino is leaving the mayor’s office after 12 years. Many in attendance said they were sad to see the well-liked and respected mayor go.City Councilors, school committee members and other city officials lined the stairs of City Hall to congratulate both Ambrosino and Rizzo.”I am trying to be grateful for the time we have spent together,” School Committee member Carol Tye said. “I am truly going to miss him.”Tye said she would miss their weekly conversations the most. “He is an extraordinary human being,” Tye said. “He has an intense intellect about him. He is so thoughtful and listens to everyone.”The school committee member has spent time with Ambrosino during his time as chair of the school committee and taught him high school English when he was a sophomore at the high school.”He is such a rare public servant,” Tye said. “He is able to take a complicated issue and reduce it to a simple explanation that everyone can understand. He listens to everyone’s opinions and is respectful. He is a man of great honor and integrity.”Councilor at large Anthony T. Zambuto also expressed sadness about the departure of Ambrosino. “I definitely have mixed emotions,” he said. “He put his heart and soul into this job. I like to think he donated 12 years of his life to Revere.”Zambuto was elected into the council the same time Ambrosino was elected mayor. “I think I spent every morning in his office talking to him,” Zambuto said. “He has a great personality. I will miss him a lot.”Ambrosino admitted he was leaving office with a heavy heart. “I am a little sad right now,” Ambrosino said. “It is hard to leave something you have been doing for 12 years.”While there was a sense of sadness in the air, there was also an excitement about the incoming Rizzo administration.”He has great ideas and a great team,” Zambuto said. “I am looking forward to the change.”Tye confidently believes Rizzo will make a great mayor. “He was a wonderful city councilor,” Tye said. “I am sure he will continue to serve the city in a greater capacity.”Ambrosino had very simple advice for Rizzo. “Just be your own person,” Ambrosino said. “That is all you can be in this job.”Rizzo said he felt “great” about him taking over the reins at City Hall. “It is good to know that Tom left the city in such a great place,” Rizzo said. “From now on when I wake up, I will think how to make Revere better.”Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected]