When City Councilor Sal LaMattina announced in April he would leave public office, the shockwaves rippled throughout the community. After a stellar 30-year career with the City of Boston, eleven of which was spent as the District 1 City Councilor, LaMattina said, “It’s time. It’s time to give someone else a shot who has new ideas. I did not make this decision lightly but I feel I’ve left my mark on East Boston.”

His mark on the community was evident last Thursday night at the Orient Heights Yacht Club as hundreds of supporters, elected and former elected officials, friends and family members packed the yacht club’s function room to wish LaMattina well as he prepares to leave office for good at the end of the year.