A changing of the guard on City Council

Both Marcie Palmer and Greg Taylor opted not to run for re-election this summer, bringing an end to both of their legislative careers with the city, though both pledged to stay active, but in new roles.

By Brian Beckley • December 28, 2015 7:02 pm
Marcie Palmer shares a joke with a staff member during a reception Dec. 14.
Marcie Palmer shares a joke with a staff member during a reception Dec. 14.

During its last meeting of the year on Dec. 14, the Renton City Council bid farewell to two members who are retiring at the end of their current terms.

Both Marcie Palmer and Greg Taylor opted not to run for re-election this summer, bringing an end to both of their legislative careers with the city, though both pledged to stay active, but in new roles.

“I’m still going to be around!” joked Palmer. “You’re not going to get rid of me that easy!”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

In lieu of a committee of the whole meeting prior to the final meeting of the year, the council hosted a small reception for the outgoing members, which was attended by family, friends, city staff and current and former council members.

Palmer and Taylor were also each presented with a small, glass token of appreciation for their time on the council. Palmer served three terms, Taylor served two.

Outgoing Council President Ed Prince thanks each member for their service, saying the council always appreciated Palmer’s tendency to put resident needs at the fore of every move she mad eon the council and praised Taylor’s commitment to openness and transparency.

Both of the outgoing members thanks the public for their support and said while neither ever expected to find themselves on the city council, they did their best to make the right decisions, even when they were hard ones.

“I appreciate the trust the resident put in me,” Taylor said, adding that he also thanked his fellow council members for “enduring my soundbytes.”

Incoming council president and longest-serving member of the council Randy Corman said it was an honor and a privilege to serve with Taylor and Palmer and wished them each the best of the luck in their future endeavors and said he looked forward to working with them again.

“I know you will both be part of our community for sometime,” he said.

Ryan McIrvin will take over Taylor’s seat beginning in January while Carol Ann Witschi will replace Palmer.

The council also presented Prince with a small token of appreciation for his service as 2015 Council President.