Monday night's Riverbank City Council meeting, Dec. 10, had a full agenda and was staged in front of a packed house.
Tops on the meeting schedule was a pair of presentations to those council members leaving the dais, with the first presentation given by Mayor Virginia Madueno to outgoing councilmember Jesse James White. She presented White with a plaque in recognition for the time that he served on the city council, a four-year term from Dec. 8, 2008 to Dec. 10, 2012.
"I would sincerely like to thank you for your service," added Madueno.
White did not seek re-election in November, stepping down after a tumultuous term that saw him deal with multiple legal problems outside of the council chambers and a couple of attempted - but ultimately failed - recall efforts.
The next presentation was administered by Vice Mayor Dotty Nygard to outgoing Mayor Virginia Madueno. The council presented Madueno with a plaque and flowers, honoring her for her time as Mayor of Riverbank. Nygard also gave a heartfelt speech regarding the outgoing mayor, noting the good work done on behalf of the city.
"Riverbank is a better place because of you," stated Nygard in her remarks to Madueno.
Taking her turn at the podium, the farewell speech that Madueno gave was, as she said, "it is a bittersweet moment." She thanked her campaign volunteers and her supporters for their hard work.
"Although it was only 53 votes that separated myself from my opponent, it's still for me, a victory in so many ways," stated Madueno, who was defeated in November by councilman Richard O'Brien. He left his council seat mi-term to pursue the mayoral post.
"I am so honored to have served as your mayor. I wish this council the very best, as they continue to move our city forward," Madueno told the crowd assembled in the council chambers.
The meeting continued with the oath of office presentation to the newly elected members of the city council. Newcomer Darlene Barber-Martinez and incumbent, Jeanine Tucker, will both serve four year terms as councilmembers.
The oath was then administered to Richard O'Brien, who began his four-year term as the new Mayor of Riverbank.
Tops on the meeting schedule was a pair of presentations to those council members leaving the dais, with the first presentation given by Mayor Virginia Madueno to outgoing councilmember Jesse James White. She presented White with a plaque in recognition for the time that he served on the city council, a four-year term from Dec. 8, 2008 to Dec. 10, 2012.
"I would sincerely like to thank you for your service," added Madueno.
White did not seek re-election in November, stepping down after a tumultuous term that saw him deal with multiple legal problems outside of the council chambers and a couple of attempted - but ultimately failed - recall efforts.
The next presentation was administered by Vice Mayor Dotty Nygard to outgoing Mayor Virginia Madueno. The council presented Madueno with a plaque and flowers, honoring her for her time as Mayor of Riverbank. Nygard also gave a heartfelt speech regarding the outgoing mayor, noting the good work done on behalf of the city.
"Riverbank is a better place because of you," stated Nygard in her remarks to Madueno.
Taking her turn at the podium, the farewell speech that Madueno gave was, as she said, "it is a bittersweet moment." She thanked her campaign volunteers and her supporters for their hard work.
"Although it was only 53 votes that separated myself from my opponent, it's still for me, a victory in so many ways," stated Madueno, who was defeated in November by councilman Richard O'Brien. He left his council seat mi-term to pursue the mayoral post.
"I am so honored to have served as your mayor. I wish this council the very best, as they continue to move our city forward," Madueno told the crowd assembled in the council chambers.
The meeting continued with the oath of office presentation to the newly elected members of the city council. Newcomer Darlene Barber-Martinez and incumbent, Jeanine Tucker, will both serve four year terms as councilmembers.
The oath was then administered to Richard O'Brien, who began his four-year term as the new Mayor of Riverbank.
