Newport Commissioner Jerry Peluso and Newport Vice Mayor Frank Peluso announced earlier this year that they did not intend to seek reelection. The cousins have a combined 49 years in the Newport government.
They were honored with proclamations by Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli at their last city commission meeting on Dec. 12 for their many years of service to the city.
Jerry Peluso, the longest-serving elected official in Newport’s History, was first elected to the commission in 1988, where he served for 20 years, then became mayor in 2009 and served until he was term-limited in 2020.
Frank Peluso began his career with Newport in 1973, wearing different hats like water meter reader, city clerk/purchasing agent, and waterworks director. He was elected to the commission in 2007 and was appointed vice mayor for the 2015-2016 term.
Newport City Commissioner Ken Rechtin mentioned that Peluso’s Italian American heritage has also influenced the city, with Jerry Peluso being the co-founder of the annual Newport Italian fest.
Rechtin said the pair are also very nurturing to small businesses in the city, with Jerry Peluso having first-hand experience running a Newport small business, Peluso’s Market on Monmouth Street, founded in 1931.
During the meeting, Newport Assistant City Attorney John Hayden echoed his experience with Peluso’s influence in Newport, telling a story from 2004.
“When I first started campaigning in 2004, I remember going to a lady’s door on the east row, and I gave my campaign talk, and she says, ‘I really appreciate that you’re here. I like what you said,’ she says, ‘but I have one rule in Newport politics I only vote for Peluso’s,'” Hayden said. “That’s the kind of impact that you have made on the people in this community.”
Guidugli said the vice mayor and commissioner have tremendously influenced him and are his go-to when he needs questions answered. Guidugli said he would continue asking for their expertise even when they’re off the board.
Frank Peluso said at the meeting that it is time to pass the torch to the new leadership that will sit in their chairs and thanked everyone who supported him over the last 15 years in office.
Newcomers Mike Radwanksi and Julie Smith-Morrow were voted to the commission in November alongside longtime commissioners Beth Fennell and Ken Rechtin.
“I cannot thank my family, friends, that have been with me forever throughout this process, and the citizens of Newport enough for allowing me to be part of the leadership of the greatest city, our hometown, Newport, Kentucky,” Frank Peluso said.
He continued that working alongside fellow elected officials, city staff, and the city administration was an honor.
“I look forward to continuing to see Newport prosper under new leadership, and although I will no longer occupy this chair or hold an elected office, I remain ready and willing to help in any way possible,” Frank Peluso said.
Jerry Peluso reiterated his cousin’s gratitude.
“When I first got on the board in 1988, there were over 700 individuals that were hired after; I wish I could thank each and every one of those individuals for their contribution,” Jerry Peluso said.
He thanked a slew of departments, including finance, code enforcement, public works, legal, the fire and police departments, city managers, and the city clerks, for their efforts over his years in office.
“I got to work directly and indirectly with a lot of dedicated, talented, hardworking people who really cared about our community, and those are reasons why it’s so successful,” Jerry Peluso said.
He ended by thanking the community, which allowed him to represent them for the past 34 years.
