VIDEO: Ex-Lansdale Councilman Gives Heartfelt Speech Thanking Friends, Staff

Former Lansdale Borough Councilman Mike Sobel took the podium inside the meeting room at the North Penn Educational Services Center—serving as the temporary meeting place for borough council—and asked his old "Citizens For a Better Lansdale" friends to join him by his side: Ex-councilmen Dan Dunigan, Paul Clemente, Matt West and current acouncilwoman Mary Fuller.
Sobel then read a speech that he called, "The End," and said it was one hell of a ride.
"I did nothing special. I was part of something very special. I accomplished nothing. Together, with this group of very hardworking and selfless people, we accomplished a great deal," Sobel said. "I did the absolute best I could while sitting up here. Many may not agree with how I voted, but every decision I made was what my conscience told me to do."
Sobel said he would not pull out his "poison pen" and take shots at old opponents. "I'm not one to crawl in the gutter and sling mud. I have too much dignity," Sobel said. "My friends around me mean too much to me to end this on a sour note." 
Sobel admitted he was fresh when he took the council seat, but was fortunate to have the experience and knowledge of department heads and employees, whom became mentors.
"I learned a great deal from all of them. I thank each and every one for their patience and knowledge," he said. "I hope the new council takes the same approach, and learns from the people and treats all borough employees with dignity and respect. They deserved it and earned it." 
Sobel apologized for a past outburst on council where he exclaimed, "What's in it for me? What do I get out of it?" He admitted it was not a good attitude and it was not why he got involved in politics.
"I am human with human frailties," he said.
Sobel said he knew his tenure on council was the right thing for Lansdale, as he got his answer three weeks ago. It was then when borough staff presented Sobel, as well as West and Dunigan, with going-away gifts and mementos. 
"Every day, I look at a broken hockey stick," he said, holding back tears, "a piece of moulding, a golden plunger and other doodads. That plastic tote of mementos is worth more to me than Bill Gates' bank account."
He said every item was one of love and appreciation, and gifts that he will never forget.
He also thanked the Lansdale Police Department for its tribute to him, West and Dunigan, saying his head was "still swimming" from the event and will always look upon the picture hanging in his dining room for perpetuity.
"Everything else I received that night is a reminder of a touching and special night," he said. "I feel like a very rich man now. And it has nothing to do with money." 
Sobel said he and his friends came into this together, and he would not have been able to do it without them standing alongside him.
"We held each other up when we needed it," he said.
Sobel then ended his speech referencing the inspirational quote that ex-Flyers coach Fred Shero wrote prior to Game Six of the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals: Win today, and we will walk together forever.
"My dear friends, on Nov. 3, 2009, we stood together as a team and won. We'll never stand with a Stanley Cup, but I think we will walk together and be proud of what we did for Lansdale," he said.