Retiring councilors Paul McHugh and Walt Schubert thanked the Sequim community Mon-day night for letting them serve the city for a combined 18 years - and were thanked in return.

Because the Dec. 28 meeting is canceled, the Dec. 14 meeting was the last for the two veteran councilors.

Schubert said he had no desire to run for public office when he moved here.

"I was just going to be retired. Then someone I respected asked me to do it, and I did it and I'm happy I did it and I'd do it again. It was very rewarding," he said.

Sequim was very different when he joined the council, Schubert said.

The city's motto was it was going to become the retail center of the county and the council did that, Schubert said.



'We got it done'

"Most councils have a goal and they don't achieve it, but we got it done," he said.

"Lastly, I want to thank my wife. It's not easy being the wife of the mayor. Three words, two hearts, one love."

Schubert announced in November he was stepping out of public life after losing his re-election bid to Planning Commissioner Ted Miller.

He served 10 years on the council, including as mayor from 2002-2007.

McHugh said he really enjoyed every minute on the council.

"It was a real honor to be given that privilege. Staff made representing the city so much easier," he said.

"It was an exciting time and I enjoyed it. I think we left the city in better shape than we found it and I was happy to play a role in that.

"It was a great deal of fun. Now I'll have more time on Monday nights," McHugh said.



Plenty of service

McHugh announced in May he would not run for re-election because he had done plenty of public service and had other things he would like to do.

He was elected to the council in 2001 and 2005, running unopposed both times.

Steve Burkett, the new city manager, said he only had been here a couple of months but had heard of all they had done for the city.

Schubert had served on 22 city boards and commissions and probably more elsewhere, especially those supporting youth services, he said.

McHugh has served the city for a long time and his claim to fame is having lived in Sequim since the third grade, Burkett said.

Councilor Ken Hays said he wanted to offer his thanks and gratitude from the council, the city and the community at large.



Round of applause

Mike McAleer also used the meeting's public comments section to say, "I don't think it's right to go beyond tonight without recognizing their contributions to this community.

"It is appropriate to give them a round of applause, and I thank you."

Emily Westcott said she wanted to reiterate what McAleer said, adding the downtown looks a lot better than it once did.

New councilors Ted Miller and Don Hall will take office at the first council meeting next year, set for Jan. 10.

Reach Brian Gawley at bgawley@sequimgazette.com.