This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Shavano Park City Council recently said goodbye to two of its own members, swore back into office a third member, and welcomed two political newcomers to its ranks.
Etta Fanning took the oath of office to begin her second council term while Charlie Brame and Vicky Maisel were sworn into their first council term at the May 21 meeting.
Fanning, Brame and Maisel received the most votes in the May 14 election, winning three at-large seats. Colleagues then elected Fanning mayor pro-tem.
Councilmen Bruce Baumann and Ken McClure, each concluding three straight terms in office, opted not to seek re-election. Mayor David Marne thanked Baumann and McClure for their public service, presenting each man with a plaque.
“I can hardly describe how much I've enjoyed working with these individuals,” Baumann said of his council colleagues and city staff.
“I'd like to share a heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Shavano Park for giving me the privilege to serve the city, and thank you, council.”
Baumann also thanked City Manager Kyle McCain and city workers for their assistance.
“We're thankful to have these people in our employ,” he added.
“What a wonderful opportunity it's been for me to serve,” McClure said.
“I've met more people than I ever thought or hoped to meet. If you haven't yet had a chance, I encourage you to serve your community. Democracy is a wonderful thing and it's working in Shavano Park.”
Council also ratified a proclamation honoring 25-year resident Donald Wallace, giving the local road Saddletree Court the honorary designation of “Wallace Circle.”
Despite Wallace's battle with cancer, city leaders formally recognized Wallace's decades of community service. Wallace served four terms with council, and has been a member of the city's planning and zoning commission and board of adjustment.
He more recently chaired the Northwest Military Highway working study panel.
Wallace helped to orchestrate commercial development in Shavano Park. He and other individuals once gathered with developer Laddie Denton and the local Rogers family.
Together, they all helped the city in 2002 to secure 22 acres, where the existing City Hall now sits. Wallace is counted among the city's founding fathers, according to the proclamation.
Marne read the proclamation, which stated Wallace “has displayed exemplary dedication to the best interest of the community by working tirelessly for the betterment of its economic, cultural and civic development.”
Marne added in the proclamation: “Wallace has earned admiration and highest regard of the people with whom he has come in contact, and the affection of his fellow public services.”
In other business May 21, council authorized McCain to execute an amended contract, not to exceed $40,000, with the engineering firm URS Corp. for continued work and completion of the Trinity Aquifer well.
eortiz@primetimenewspapers.com