It was an emotional time of goodbyes on Monday morning as members of Summerland’s outgoing municipal council reflected on their time at the table.
The meeting is the last before the newly elected municipal council is sworn in on Dec. 1.
Coun. Peter Waterman, who was elected as mayor in the Nov. 15 election, is the only member of the previous council to return to the table.
Coun. Martin Van Alphen, Coun. Robert Hacking and Coun. Bruce Hallquist were unsuccessful in their re-election efforts, as was Coun. Orv Robson in his bid for the mayor’s position.
Outgoing mayor Janice Perrino and Coun. Lloyd Christopherson did not seek re-election.
“Three years to serve the community has been a pleasure and a real learning experience,” Van Alphen said. ‘I think we’ve accomplished a lot.
“It has been a wonderful challenge,” Robson said.
“We did accomplish some significant hurdles.”
Christopherson thanked the members of municipal staff for their dedication.
“Our staff is absolutely awesome,” he said.
Hacking said he appreciated the opportunity to serve the community for the past three years.
“I wish I could do that for a lot longer,” he said. “This has been a very excellent experience.”
Hallquist, who has served on council at various times for 40 years, said his time at the table has been rewarding.
“I have to say that the last two councils that I have been on were without a doubt the most productive, enjoyable councils that I have participated in,” he said.
Perrino said the past council has had many successes over the years.
“Whether you are looking at roads, the RCMP detachment, the dozens of policy changes, staff changes, a new industrial area and the addition of services like transit that took us 15 years to bring to this community, we have done many things to improve Summerland and take it forward into the future,” she said.
Waterman, who will assume the mayor’s role on Dec. 1, said the past council has been productive.
“I appreciate the leadership you’ve shown for this council,” he said to Perrino.
“We’ve achieved a great deal of good for the community.”