By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
It was a serious and now and then a somber time, what with a longtime city official taking part in her last city council meeting and two veteran council members also winding up their tenures.
So there were a few tearful moments and a bit of obvious emotion here and there, all permeated by the reminder that this was the final roundup, the time to bow out for Clerk-Treasurer Phyllis Whitright and council members Craig Coshow and Wylie Sirk.
Still, laughter played a major role as often occurs when friendships come to the forefront.
Most of the city officials and department heads who rose to thank Whitright almost always added a bit of extra with humor. Like, for instance, how she kept them from overspending; how they felt she was like a big sister or mother to them on finances; how she could tell them “no” in such a pleasant way.
Then there was Councilman Tyler Fullenkamp, who sits to Whitright’s right at the council dias (see photo).
“I always leaned over and whispered in your ear,” he told Phyllis, “but it’s gonna be awful hard to learn over and whisper in his ear,” referring to her replacement, Kevin Hackman.
That one filled the room with laughter.
So, too, did a comment from Mayor Dan Rickord after Whitright said, “I’m glad I’m going out with you (as mayor).”
“Well, she didn’t mean we are ‘GOING OUT’,” he laughed.
Adding a little extra “special” to the special meeting was a batch of fantastic cookies made by Ruth Becker and brought in by husband Bob, a frequent visitor at city council meetings.