(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett recognized two City Council members who are stepping down at the end of the month. Second Ward Councilman Lee Sisco and Third Ward Councilman Pat McCurdy, as well as Fourth Ward Councilwoman Linda Hartkopf were mentioned as being valuable members of the Council.

She said “It’s hard to find good people to serve, and I can say that we have been blessed with some good folks to serve alongside. And, I have had a very supportive Council since I took my role as Mayor, and I want you Lee (Sisco) how much I appreciate your expertise, how much you’ve brought to the table.” (Click on the images below to enlarge. Ric Hanson/photos)

Mayor Garrett & Councilman Sisco

Mayor Garrett & Councilperson Hartkopf.

She said Sisco is “a retired State Trooper from California, and he brought a lot to the table and he served on our committees well.” Sisco said his experience on the Council “Has been kind of an education. I think if anybody’s in the community they really ought to think about it, because there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that I don’t think the community completely understands what it takes to get a simple crosswalk done. There’s a lot of cogs in the wheel that have to turn and turn properly and I think the more involvement we get from the community the better off we are.”

Councilperson Linda Hartkopf was recognized next. The Mayor said she “Has served our community well for several years (16 years altogether). She has truly given some years to serving her community, and she’s done it well.” In addition to being a Councilperson, Linda Hartkopf has served as Mayor Pro-Tem the past two-years. Hartkopf said she’s enjoyed very much serving the community and she “Didn’t know what she was in for when [she] was elected” when she won as a write-in candidate. She promised when she first ran for the Council that she would “Listen to the people who contacted me (constituents) about an issue, and vote the way they wanted [me] to.” She said she has tried to maintain true to her promise and vote the way the majority in her ward wanted her to.

Mayor Garrett congratulates Councilperson Elect Emily Kennedy.

Mayor Garrett congratulates Councilperson Elect Mike McDermott.

Mayor Garrett congratulates Councilperson Elect Shawn Sarsfield.

Mayor Garrett congratulates Councilperson Elaine Otte.

The Mayor presented Sisco and Hartkopf with some parting gifts before moving-on to the swearing-in of re-elected Councilman Jim Behrens, who, due to redistricting represents the 2nd Ward, and newly elected Councilpersons Emily Kennedy – 1st Ward; Mike McDermott – 3rd Ward, and Shawn Sarsfield – 4th Ward. Garrett also issued the Oath of Office to re-elected Councilwoman Elaine Otte.

Councilman Jim Behrens is sworn-in.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Garrett reminded citizens that fireworks are permitted on New Years Eve from 6-p.m. Dec. 31st until 12:15-a.m., January 1st. She said use the opportunity to celebrate responsibly. She also wished the community a Merry Christmas from the home of she and her husband Bill. “We wish you well. We wish you safety and we wish you a wonderful and healthy 2024. We are very thankful for our hometown and we are very thankful to call Atlantic our home.”