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Councilmen enjoy a last hurrah
Last night's Fredericksburg City Council meeting was the final one for three outgoing members, including Mayor Bill Beck.
By ELIZABETH PEZZULLO
Date published: 6/23/2004
Heaven knows Fredericksburg City Council meetings can be hostile.
But last night's gathering displayed a kinder, gentler council.
The reason: Four of the council's current members were bidding adieu to three of their colleagues.
It was the last meeting for Mayor Bill Beck and Councilmen Joe Wilson and Scott Howson.
Howson and Beck lost their seats in the May election. Wilson chose not to seek another term.
On July 1, Mayor-elect Tom Tomzak will take over the reins, and Debby Girvan and Kerry John will fill two at-large seats on the council.
But last night wasn't so much about the future as it was the past.
Despite their differences, the outgoing officials showered one another with praise and gratitude that even left some in the room teary-eyed.
"As we argued through things and discussed things, Joe Wilson brought a wit to council that was appreciated." Beck said. "He also brought a vast business experience, and was well known for putting lots of wisdom into few words."
Howson, who served on the council for eight years, lauded staff members for keeping City Hall humming.
"There was never a point throughout my eight years that I didn't feel the city was well-managed," said Howson, who will now spend more time making a rowboat to take on the Rappahannock River.
With characteristic humor, Wilson informed the council that he'd forgiven its members for never appointing him to any commissions during his tenure.
"What a terrible waste of talent," Wilson said, as the crowd chuckled. "But, honestly, what I do believe is that every decision each member made was what they thought was in the best interest of the city."
At a reception earlier in the evening, each of men were presented with gold watches by city officials.
Councilmen Matt Kelly, Billy Withers and Tom Fortune put a bit more thought into their gifts.
Beck was given a hand-sewn Fredericksburg flag. Howson, an avid outdoorsman, got a new fishing vest. And for one of Wilson's favorite hobbies, he received a bottle of Glenfiddich single malt whiskey.
"With the help of a few others, I think we can polish off this bottle tonight," Wilson joked.
When members' work re-commenced, the City Council voted unanimously to accept a $2.5 million donation from Doris Buffett to build a Boys & Girls Club at the Dixon Street Recreational Complex on land slated for a new community center.
Buffett, a city resident who is the sister of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, presented the gift last week.
Much remains to be done to work out the details of the youth-club project before construction begins.
To reach ELIZABETH PEZZULLO: 540/374-5421 epezzullo@freelancestar.com
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Date published: 6/23/2004
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