State Representative Wayne Matewsky said this week that he has changed his mind and decided against resigning from his city council seat, and said that he will continue to serve in both capacities between now and the end of the term, on December 31, 2013, when the new form of government ends and a new City Council will take office.
“I’m not going to resign,” said Matewsky, last Friday following an appearance at the side of Mayor DeMaria regarding the proposed casino resort in Everett.
“They’re trying to force me out and I’m not going to go out that way,” said a defiant Matewsky, who did not identify who he feels is going after him. “At first, I think that some people wanted to use my departure to put Peter Napolitano on the council, but now that’s not going to happen, and I’ve got people who are asking me to stay through the end of the year, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
Matewsky’s status as a Common Councilor and State Representative is not against any laws at the state or local level, but at least one former campaign worker who has broken ties with Matewsky said this week that Matewsky’s dual elective offices amount to “double-dipping,’ on public dollars.
“He’s collecting two paychecks now and I don’t think it’s right,” said former campaign treasurer worker Gerald Ostrofsky. “I’ve talked to a number of his campaign supporters and we feel that he lied to us, because he said he would resign from the Council if he were elected. Now, he’s been elected and he’s still there, still collecting two paychecks.”
Matewsky collects a stipend of approximately $5,000 per year as a Common Councilor and is now collecting a salary of $56,000 annually as a State Representative.
Matewsky noted that he has not even been in office as State Representative “for 90 days,” since he wasn’t sworn in until May 17, and there is already less than six-months left until his council term expires due to the change in government.
“I’m not going to back down and leave my seat, just because some people are out to make me look bad over a personal issue,” said Matewsky, who indicated that his falling out with Ostrofsky was not about his decision to keep his council seat.