The community gathered on Tuesday to recognize and thank outgoing La Cañada Flintridge City Councilmembers Terry Walker and Rick Gunter for their service.
Serving for 12 years in the city, Gunter teared up as he gave his last remarks.
“I’ve had the rare privilege to serve as the mayor in the town that I grew up in,” said Gunter.
He reflected on his time serving on the planning commission, his time as a councilmember and, more recently, as mayor.
“The city’s better and I’m better because of you,” said Gunter as he thanked his fellow commissioners, city staff, City Council, former Councilmembers, first responders and community leaders.
“To my fellow Councilmembers, Mike, Keith, Terry and Kim, thank you for your dedication, your wisdom, your kindness and your friendship,” said Gunter. “I’m lucky to have served with you.”
Walker reflected on her time and thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve the city.
“I feel very blessed to have this opportunity,” said Walker. “I have learned so much. It’ll make me a better citizen. It’s taught me critical thinking, how to look at different problems and before formulating an opinion [I learned to] consider all sides and [do] research. It’s taught me the importance of community.”
Serving on the City Council for nine years and starting on the planning commission in 2012, Walker commended the city staff for their hard work behind the scenes.
“It’s been a wonderful, wonderful ride,” said Walker. “I met many, many wonderful people. And as Rick said so elegantly, the city is better for it, and I’m better for all that you guys do. And I look forward to seeing you around town.”
Community members and leaders who filled the room gave a round of applause and standing ovation for the two members for their service.
Homemade jam, plaques and ceramic pieces was just a taste of what Walker and Gunter received from community organizations. Gifts also came from the La Cañada Unified School District, the LCF Chamber of Commerce and the Community Center of LCF, as well as representatives of Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Rep. Judy Chu, state Sen. Anthony Portantino and Assemblyman Chris Holden, to name a few.
Capt. Robert Hahnlein from the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station gifted Gunter and Walker a solid silver challenge coin and certificate.
“I want to congratulate both of you and thank you for everything,” said Hahnlein. “But most of all, I believe I made two great friends.”
LCF Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Pat Anderson commended Gunter for his service.
“Your support and participation in our city and chamber events are clear evidence of your spirit of giving back to our community,” said Anderson. “You are truly our hometown mayor, graduated from La Cañada High School, raised your family here, served eight years on the planning commission and elected to the City Council in 2020.”
Ernest Koeppen, who serves as a planning commissioner and president of the LCF Tournament of Roses Association, gifted both Walker and Gunter a recognition award with a rose engraved.
“I’d like to thank you both for being leaders that have shown me a lot, taught me a lot,” said Koeppen. “Your leadership, your acceptance, your ability, and [just] returning my emails and phone calls, and your ability to teach me things does not go unnoticed.”
City Manager Dan Jordan rounded out the flurry of recognition with his own remarks to the outgoing Councilmembers on behalf of the city staff and gifted them each a city street sign with their name.
“You [both] really are amazing,” said Jordan. “I worked in four cities, and before that all around the country with [different] city councils and I will tell you, and I will tell our community, they just don’t get any better than this. This is the place to work if you’re a staff person, because your elected officials are smart, they’re dedicated, they love their community, and they’re here for the right reasons, and these two epitomize that.”
First published in the April 18 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
