A couple of weeks ago, City Councilor Leonard Gentile blocked a vote to appoint Drew Willison as Newton’s new city clerk, because he wanted the Council to consider acting clerk Cassidy Flynn for the job permanently.

On Monday night, the City Council went ahead with the vote and gave the job to Willison, as the Programs and Services Committee had unanimously recommended.

Willison has served as United States Senate at Arms, and was chief of staff for former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Monday’s City Council vote was 21 in favor, two against and one absent. Gentile and Alison Leary were the dissenters.

Leary said that while she’s impressed with Willison’s experience in federal government, “he would have to be trained by Cassidy to do the job, and this is something that she has been doing already.”

Councilor Susan Albright agreed about Flynn’s value as a leader in the clerk’s office, but she said Willison’s resume is too good to pass up.

“Mr. Willison’s range of experience over the years is something that is sort of unprecedented for someone applying for this job, and I think everyone in the clerk’s office could actually benefit from his experience,” Albright said.

After the vote, City Council President Marc Laredo took a moment to praise Flynn, who has worked for the department for seven years, for the works she’s done as acting clerk over the past six months.

“You stepped up exceptionally well in a very, very difficult time. You’ve led professionally, and frankly sitting here today, this evening, which I’m sure is not easy, I think it’s a tremendous thing that you’re able to do that.”