In his last meeting as an appointed Island County District 3 commissioner, Aubrey Vaughan urged the future board to cooperate.

“The commissioners have to work together,” Vaughan said. “We can’t ever lose that again because the people suffer.”

The remaining board members presented Vaughan with a plaque Monday for his “selfless leadership” to the residents of Island County.

Commissioner Helen Price Johnson gave Vaughan kudos for taking on and completing long overlooked projects like paving the parking lot at Camano’s “blue building.”

“I appreciated your bi-partisanship and attitude and willingness to look for solutions,” Price Johnson said. “You have been a very strong advocate for Camano and District 3. You are a kind and caring individual and I’ve enjoyed this experience. I hope you will stay engaged with Island County and I look forward to working with you in that capacity.”

Commissioner Jill Johnson also thanked him for facilitating “some healing that needed to be done and some trust that needed to be rebuilt” with Camano residents who may have felt neglected by previous representatives.

Former District 3 commissioner Kelly Emerson quit suddenly in May leaving the vacancy for which Vaughan was appointed. Emerson had been criticized for her leadership, work ethic and disruptiveness in board meetings.

“Thank you for being that individual and getting us back on track. You’ve been a strong advocate for Camano to the point of almost being a pebble in our shoe. Even after the primary you came back to work … and for that you won my undying respect. You set a standard for what a professional commissioner looks like.”

Vaughan admitted that he “moped” for a few days after losing his bid for the primary election in August. But he decided he had a choice, he said.

“I can either continue to mope … or I can dig in and try to accomplish a few things,” Vaughan said. “I can tell you sitting here for a few short months had I not had the experience in the private business world, I would have had a hard time. I would have been lost, really lost — I still was about half lost. But at least I had experience dealing with people, organizations, figures … and that’s been an asset to me.”

Among his accomplishments, Vaughan listed the “blue building” project, and assisting in completing the deputies guild contract and the 2015 budget.

Despite his strong support for the county’s law and justice needs, Vaughan said that they “got wrenched” over the budget and had to make some tough decisions.

“I don’t think any of the commissioners got everything they wanted,” Vaughan said. “That’s called compromise, government.”

Vaughan agreed that Camano needed someone to come in and help them to feel represented after a “difficult time in this county’s history.”

“This has been one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done in my life,” Vaughan said.

Newly elected District 3 Commissioner Rick Hannold will take office when he is sworn in Friday.