Saying thanks

Thank you.

With the exception of a few minor items of business, Portland City Council’s final meeting of 2019 was about those two simple words.

Mayor Randy Geesaman, council members and others spent the bulk of the 12-minute meeting saying thank you to each other — specifically the outgoing elected officials — for their years of service to Portland.

It was clear from the start that the meeting was unusual, as most of the chairs in council chambers at Portland Fire Station were full.

“I will have to say, there’s more people in the audience than we have at most city council meetings,” joked Gees-aman.

Attendance was strong because of well-wishers for those who were taking part in their final council meeting in office.

Departing council this year are two longtime members — Bill Gibson, a Republican, and Judy Aker, a Democrat — who each chose not to run for re-election this year. They served on council for 20 and 16 years, respectively.

“I would like to thank the department heads, the city employees, the citizens of Portland for having faith to elect me for the last 16 years,” said Aker. “It’s been a learning experience and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

“I just want to thank everybody for putting up with me for 20 years,” added Bill Gibson. “I think it’s about time to get on and let somebody else step into these shoes.”

Also leaving council is Democrat Judy Aker, who took over her husband Mark’s term after his death in January 2017 following a battle with brain cancer. She lost her bid for re-election this year to independent Mike Aker.

“I pretty much took over for my late husband, who took a lot of pride in Jay County, loved Jay County,” said Hedges, fighting back tears. “He instilled the love of our town to my children.”

Geesaman presented plaques to all three outgoing council members, who made the motion to adjourn in unison, as well as one to Hedges in honor of her late husband.

Portland clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips then presented a plaque to Geesaman, a Democrat, who was presiding over his final council meeting as mayor. He will leave office after eight years of service following his loss to Republican John Boggs in the November election.

He previously served as clerk-treasurer before defeating two-term incumbent Republican Bruce Hosier in the 2011 general election for mayor.

“Randy, I’ve always appreciated your very positive attitude,” said council member Kent McClung in thanking the mayor for his service to Portland. “You’ve just always wanted to do what you thought was right for the city, and I never doubted that.”

Portland City Court clerk Missy Puterbaugh also read a letter of thanks to the mayor and council members from Judge Donald Gillespie, who was unable to be at the meeting. A reception in Geesaman’s honor followed the meeting.

In other business, council members Janet Powers, Don Gillespie, Michele Brewster, Gibson, Aker, Hedges and McClung:

•Encumbered funds to cover purchase orders than will be paid in 2020 via funds from the current year’s budget.

•Transferred $4,500 to local option income tax (LOIT) part-time and fire runs from general fire regular salary to ensure a positive balance at the end of the year.