Three retiring elected officials and four veteran council members gathered to reflect on decades of local service, offering practical advice to anyone considering public office.

"Becoming an elected official, if you've never been involved in that role before, there's a lot to learn. I've heard it described as drinking out of a fire hose at first, particularly the mayor," said Speaker 2, a retiring elected official. Other speakers repeatedly urged prospective officeholders to "be prepared for the learning curve." Speaker 3 said, "You better be prepared for a steep learning curve."

Why it matters: the speakers said local government requires both technical knowledge and day-to-day availability to constituents. One speaker noted the expectation that officials stop and listen to residents encountered in public places, and another described the small-town reality of running into neighbors in stores and at church.

Speakers emphasized three practical skills. First, communication: officials should clearly explain decisions and platforms to the public and use multiple channels. "We have it in the city newsletter that comes out every month," Speaker 6 said while describing the challenge when residents do not read official notices; the group discussed local newspapers, city newsletters and social media as imperfect but necessary outreach tools.

Second, consensus-building: officials should listen to all sides, weigh city goals and long-term benefits, and sometimes make difficult decisions that will not please everyone. "You have to learn how to listen and how to build consensus," Speaker 4 said. Several speakers described routinely calling council members for counsel and encouraging mayors to empower their councils.

Third, personal resilience and relationships: officials need a "thick skin" to handle criticism from a small number of frequent critics, said Speaker 3, and should cultivate collegial relationships with staff and fellow elected officials. "I will miss the good people that I have worked with," Speaker 4 said, adding that neighborhood councils and city staff were among the most rewarding parts of the job.

The session also included lighter recollections. One speaker recounted office candy rituals—"I'm gonna miss the candy," Speaker 3 said—and another joked about retirement plans: "I'm gonna do whatever I want," Speaker 2 said.

No formal motions, votes or policy actions were recorded during this reflection session. The speakers repeatedly framed their remarks as personal lessons rather than proposals, encouraging patience and collaboration as the best path to making change at the local level.