Politics & Government

For Patten, Giving Back is to Join the Zoning Board

U.S. Army Capt. Steve Patten, an officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps, has returned home to Peabody to start up his own law practice and is now a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

He may be leaving the military behind for now, but not the law.

Tanner City native and Peabody Veterans Memorial High School grad Steven Patten returned from active duty in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps, a decorated captain, earlier this fall with the intention of settling down with his wife in West Peabody and starting a family.

Patten spent two tours in Afghanistan.

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This past Thursday, Mayor Ted Bettencourt received a unanimous vote from the City Council, confirming Patten's appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Bettencourt said Patten is starting up his own law practice and was looking for a way to give back to his hometown.

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Ironically, his new appointment only lasts for a couple more weeks -- the two-year term (formerly held by Russ Eckel) expires Dec. 31, 2012, which means Patten will have to come back in January for re-appointment.

Patten is also a former Assistant District Attorney for Essex County and a graduate of Suffolk University Law School.

The City Council also approved another appointment by Bettencourt Thursday to the Park Commission. Joy Wallace (a substitute teacher in the Peabody schools, youth sports coach, Girl Scout leader and former president of the McCarthy School PTO) will replace Molly Foster for a five-year term as Park Commissioner.


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