Gerde marks the end of City Council career

Mayor Paul Dennis (center) presents Councilwoman Helen Gerde (right) with a plaque, pin and other mementoes as Councilwoman Linda Dietzman (left) looks on last night. It was the final council meeting and workshop for Gerde, who announced in October that she planned to retire after 15 years on the council. “I’ve learned a lot from Helen,” Dennis said. “I think we all have.” Gerde first began serving in city government as an appointed member of the Parks and Recreation Commission. She was then named to the Planning Commission, an entity she served on for two years before running for city council. She was first elected in 1995, running unopposed in all four of her bids for the seat. Last night, the city council selected Tim Hazen to fill the remaining year of Gerde’s four-year term.