Kennedy Steps Down from South Windsor Planning & Zoning Commission

Patrick Kennedy describes himself as the worst golfer in South Windsor.

“I am so bad, some people are still in therapy over watching me play,” he joked on Tuesday.

And while that may be so, he has also served on the Planning & Zoning Commission since 2001, with the last eight years as its chair.

All of that came to an end Tuesday evening, when he stepped down from the commission as a result of his pending move to Manchester.

Mayor Tom Delnicki read a proclamation at the Planning & Zoning Commission’s regular meeting Tuesday honoring the work that Kennedy put in over the last 12 years.

“You’ve watch South Windsor grow and you’ve been involved in many decisions that shaped this town,” Delnicki said.

Indeed, Kennedy was on the commission for decisions on, among others, Evergreen Walk, Nomads Adventure Quest and the Federal Express distribution center. He also chaired the commission while it put worked on the overall Town Plan, which is still being drafted.

Kennedy, for his part, accepted the recognition with humility and graciousness.

“I patterned what I did [as chairman] after Kevin McCann,” Kennedy said of the former P&Z chairman who now serves on the Town Council. “

Kennedy also credited his fellow commission members for their hard work and for making his job easier by working collaboratively.

“I think our practices have been efficient and healthy for the community,” Kennedy said.

The same can’t be said for his golf swing, however.

Kennedy was the Chamber of Commerce president from 2009 to 2010 and the president of Rotary from 2006-07.