By FRED McCARTHY
Recently I was inspired by the enthusiastic singing of Vern and Karl Olsen, Deb Lund, and Valerie Hubbard at the Langley Christmas Tree Lighting. Only in Langley would you have a famous children’s book author, a Shifty Sailor and his sister, and a Brothers Four singer leading Christmas carols so enthusiastically in an intimate small city park on a brisk November Saturday afternoon.
The incoming mayor, Tim Callison, arrived dressed in an elf suit on a Harley Davidson with ape hanger handlebars and beloved doctor/historian, Bob Waterman, on the back in the role of Santa. I’ve been boring our city supervisors lately with trite quips like “It’s a short distance between being a lame duck and being a dead duck,” or the equally corny “you guys consider that after I have gone to the sunshine home in a month!”
I can’t believe this chapter of my fourth retirement is coming to an end so fast. “What’s next?” some people ask. My answer is something like, “Unplugging, reflection, and discernment.” It seems weak and unacceptable to many and evokes more questioning looks.
Greg Hein, boat and engine expert, was right when he said of my transition from South Whidbey School District superintendent to Langley mayor, “What are you doing? Out of one frying pan into another!”
Well, my thoughts are: It was all I hoped for and more … sometimes a little more, sometimes quite a bit more … tested many skills sets and called on many life experiences.
Having been a kindergarten teacher was helpful in city council meetings. “Why don’t we listen more during citizen sharing time and not interrupt each other?”
When I left the seminary, after high school in my first year of college, I never thought I would preside at a wedding. I am so honored that two beautiful people, Shelly and Anastasia, allowed me to do this during my term. When I rarely felt down, my spirits soared when I read Jim Freeman’s “Fall on your face funny” column in the Marketplace or Dan Pedersen’s blog, Sharon Heath’s “I Love Langley” or Carolyn Tamler’s business owner profiles.
To the few people who were frustrated, angry, or disappointed with me, my goal was to treat everyone with consideration and respect. To the degree someone didn’t feel that way, I fell short of my personal best. Many of us are still a work-in-progress at growing in wisdom, age, and grace.
To the council, the supervisors, the staff, and my fellow elected officials, I offer my thanks because as a mayor you realize without great people around you nothing important or lasting gets done.
By the way, thank those of you who voted me No. 18 of the top 20 mayors in the recent Best of Western Washington awards. My mother is smiling in heaven.
Thank you to the many volunteers who power our city, most recently in the form of redoing the Second Street rain garden so beautifully. I was not as visionary as you on that one. It really is a work of landscape architectural beauty. I believe we made a difference working together.
Dr. Harry Wong says of education and public service, “We are in the business of enhancing lives!” It was a very exciting road trip together and I’m a better person for having accepted this particular adventure in leadership.
My brother John signs off with a quote attributed to Helen Keller: “Life is either a daring adventure … or nothing at all.”
Thanks for the adventure!
Respectfully,
Fred
