With gavel in hand, Mayor Sandra Johnson begins the city council meeting Tuesday. Photo by Sally Y. Hart

Well wishes were shared as the Washington City Council said farewell and best of luck in retirement to Mayor Sandra Johnson and councilor Kathy Salazar.

The meeting of the council Tuesday was Johnson’s last as mayor and councilor Jaron Rosien will take the helm in January. In her closing remarks, Salazar said she appreciated the cooperative efforts of the council and the progress moving forward, “I’d just like to express what a pleasure it’s been to work on city council. I can’t even begin to explain how much I’ve learned since I’ve been on council, there’s so much more to the city process than people realize, and than I realized even with the experience I had with the city before coming to the council. So, it takes a lot of effort, it takes a lot of cogs in the wheel, so to speak. So, I just appreciate everybody really teaming together and making it work. This council here has been a true pleasure to work with.”

Prior to the council meeting a reception was held for Salazar and Johnson, during which plaques were presented to each and a park bench was dedicated to Johnson, “You just about blew me away with the recognition bench, that is an unbelievable gift to me. I wouldn’t take back the 18 years, it was quite the journey. Thank you for the opportunity. And like Kathy, I’m not really planning on being in the background all the time, so expect to see my presence occasionally.”

And with the final thud of the gavel the meeting was adjourned.