'Liacos Way' Posed for Tribute to Longtime City Politician

Jim Liacos may just get his own lasting tribute in his hometown as a street.

The School Committee wants to honor former longtime committee member and city councilor Liacos, who is retiring from office after this year, with a permanent tribute linked to the city's schools.

Dave McGeney, who is approaching his own 20-year mark on the school board, introduced a motion Tuesday night, asking his colleagues to back a request to the City Council to create a new street named "Liacos Way" for the new middle school once it's built.

"Jim is considered to be the longest serving elected official in Peabody, but he will be remembered far more for his effectiveness as a city leader than for his length of time spent," McGeney wrote.

He said Liacos, who also just retired as a horticulture professor, "has devoted his entire adult life to education and in particular to the students of the Peabody Public Schools," serving for 34 years between both city boards and with many accomplishments to show for it.

"Jim has always been an outspoken champion for [the] Peabody Public Schools, its students and staff and never backed down from any challenge from those who didn’t share his passion for the support of education," McGeney wrote. "Whether you agreed or disagreed with Jim Liacos on an issue, none would deny his eagerness to debate an issue on its merits or his exceptional skill at doing so."

He also praised Liacos for being a natural teacher and mentor to his junior colleagues. Committee members unanimously agreed to support the motion, calling it a fitting tribute.

"I can tell you that the person that's going to hate this motion the most is Jim Liacos, which is why I haven't...asked for his permission," McGeney said. "All of you know Jim, this is just not something that he'd be very comfortable with. In spite of all that, I don't know of anyone who is more worthy of the honor."

Liacos said on Wednesday he certainly wasn't expecting the honor and didn't know anything about it until a phone call from a reporter.

"It came as a total surprise to me," he said. "It was very nice, very humbling."
 
"Even though I was hoping for my picture up on that new billboard on Lowell Street, this was quite nice," joked Liacos.

The request will eventually go before the council, but not before some details are worked out on the exact placement and configuration of the road in the construction plans.