Posted: May 20, 2005
It was an evening filled with emotion,
celebration, reminiscence and farewell as Place 5 City Councilmember Steve
Stovall (left) and Place 3 City Councilmember Phil Dyer (right), their terms
of office expired, took to the City Council podium for the final time at a
special called City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 17.
After canvassing the results of the City’s May 7 election
and watching newly-elected Councilmembers Harry LaRosiliere and Loretta
Ellerbe sworn in, Councilmembers Dyer and Stovall took their seats with the
Chamber audience, now returning to private life, after serving our
All-America City as members of a City Council that successfully guided Plano
through some of its darkest economic times in the wake of September 11.
Consistently increasing municipal services without
increasing property taxes; seeing Downtown Plano emerge as a “destination”
point through an influx of new business, urban living and DART light rail;
using technology to make Plano’s municipal organization a digital leader in
eCommerce and information applications; ensuring the City’s readiness stance
remains at an all-time high through the creation of a Municipal Office of
Homeland Security; increasing our international business outreach through
support of foreign trade initiatives; adopting a Core Business Matrix and
Strategic Plan to provide a central focus on quality of lifestyle and
essential services for citizens; seeing CNN Money name Plano as the Top City
in the Western United States to Live (2004)…the list of Council achievements
during their tenure is endless.
Mayor Evans spoke on behalf of the Council in
expressing appreciation to Mr. Dyer and Mr. Stovall, who were given engraved
plaques recognizing their years of service (1999-2005). “You know we just
can’t say ‘goodbye’,” said Mayor Evans, “Rather, we’re just saying ‘thanks’
tonight to Phil and Steve.”
The Mayor
first thanked Mr. Dyer for his service to the citizens of Plano. “It is with
honor and deep appreciation to Phil Dyer that we recognize the distinguished
public service he has given freely and unselfishly to the citizens of the
City of Plano while serving with outstanding leadership, vision and
ability,” she read from his plaque. She also cited his tenure as a
Councilmember, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem and Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Dyer drew laughs as he promised not to make an
“academy award speech.”
“I want to just thank a few people real quickly,” he
said. After thanking his wife Margaret and sons Adam and Graham for their
understanding for his being away from home so much with Council duties, he
again drew laugher by thanking the citizens for “making three mistakes by
voting me into office three different times.”
Of his City Council team he lauded their support
adding, “I appreciate it very much. It’s a great honor and a privilege to
have served with you and I’m deeply grateful. It was just fantastic.”
Lastly, he thanked “the people who make this City
really run and do the heavy lifting, and that’s the City Staff. Thank you
for making us look good all the time by everything you do every day.”
A standing
ovation greeted his departure and the arrival at the podium of Mr. Stovall,
who stood with his wife, Janet, to accept his plaque of appreciation.
“This is presented to you, Steve, with honor and deep
appreciation for the distinguished public service that you’ve given freely
and unselfishly to the citizens of the City of Plano while serving with
outstanding leadership, vision and ability,” said Mayor Evans. “While you’re
were on the Council you were Mayor Pro Tem, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem and a
Council Member from May 1999 – May 2005.”
Mr. Stovall, clearly touched by the ovation of the
audience and his last appearance as a Plano Councilmember, Captured applause
and smiles as he said “Well, I’m not going to make a long strung out speech
either, because I know none of you want to hear it!”
“I can’t tell you how much the last six years have
meant to me. The staff, my colleagues, the Mayor, all of the City employees,
all of my friends who have been with me, supported me…and I’m not leaving my
wife to the last, because she’s always been Number One, far and away….and I
want to thank all of you.”
“We just don’t know how we would have gotten along
without you two guys,” added Mayor Evans. “Some of us have never done
Council without you two and we don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow,
so we hope you both stay close by the phone because we’ll probably be
calling to consult!”
Following the City Council meeting, a reception was
held for Mr. Dyer and Mr. Stovall at the Plano ArtCentre.