Roe bids adieu to council tenure

Dec. 22—OTTUMWA — Two years ago almost to the day, Marc Roe joked briefly about Bob Meyers' sport coat on the former Ottumwa City Council member's last day on the job.

There was no joking on Roe's last day Tuesday night at the Bridge View Center, only each colleague's gratefulness that made Roe's face a little red and eyes a little soft.

Though it wasn't Roe's last official meeting with the council — his last was Thursday's special meeting to determine how to fill a vacancy — it was the final one with a significant list of agenda items. First elected in 2015 and electing not to run again this year, he now turns over a council with two years of experience at its high end, though former council member Keith Caviness will join it in January.

"I just want to say, and pardon my language here for a second, this has been one hell of a ride of eight years," Roe said. "And we've seen a lot that's happened over the last eight years. It's been an education that I never thought I could have gotten."

Roe's tenure has been defined as bucking the status quo occasionally, a firm knowledge of the city's history, and almost always giving reasoned rationale, either as direction for other council members to consider or on votes he's taken.

With his title as executive director of Greater Ottumwa Partners In Progress, Roe helped the city invest in its quality of life aspects in an effort to make the community an attractive place to live and do business. That won't stop as he continues to try to lure businesses to the area.

Yet, he acknowledged meeting people he never thought he would.

"A person who I have been able to recently start calling a friend asked me not too long ago what I thought my biggest accomplishment was," he said, "and it took me a while to think about that because I don't really think any one of us accomplishes a lot on our own.

"But at the end of the day, I kind of settled on something," Roe said, "and that was when I first ran for office, I said I would always represent Ottumwa passionately and professionally. I would always look to the needs and desires of the citizens of this community over what my own personal agenda may be."

Mayor Rick Johnson saluted Roe, particularly for his work to start 2022, when four new council members and a new mayor were seated.

"Marc was the only council member that was still there that had any historical perspective or experience, and we really benefited greatly from that expertise and the historical ability to let us know how things have been done in the past," Johnson said. "I think you were always very clear about what your personal feelings were about topics, and I always appreciated that."

Council member Cara Galloway, who has sat near Roe for the last two years, looked up to the two-term council member with reverence.

"I find myself at a loss for words, but you've been a mentor, friend and champion for the city, and your leadership has been an invaluable asset to the city council and the community at large," she said.

"I've been honored to serve these last two years with you. You've truly made a difference with your service to the city."

Doug McAntire didn't have anything written down to say, but expressed his friendship with Roe during the last two years.

"You helped this council and our mayor become better because of your wisdom, and willingness to coach us along," he said. "Most times we agreed but there were times we didn't, but we still shook hands man-to-man and we'll still remain friends. In the world today, that's hard to do."

Council member Bill Hoffman Jr., who won a seat on the council last month and was seated early, used the vantage point of being a community member when addressing Roe's impact.

"What you've done for the city matters. It matters to a lot of us," he said. "You cared about the citizens and I know you're going to carry that on. This might be your last night on the council, but it's just the beginning of doing great things."

Roe said he'd made mistakes as a council member, and "that makes us human." But, as he said to new council members starting their terms two years ago, a thick skin is required.

"We all have the power to persuade, and I would encourage everybody to use that power as much as possible. I think there are a lot of times when voices aren't raised and they should be," he said. "I've learned along the way that there's been several times when we have been less than popular people, but you get through it as long as you're working in the best interest of those that you represent.

"But the biggest thing I've learned, and I haven't really practiced it too well, is to just shut up and listen," he said. "I think a lot of problems can really be solved just by listening."

Roe commended the council members who he served with in the past and currently, as well as various city staff personnel he's worked with over the last eight years, even though many names and faces have changed.

"The staff members coming to work every day here are some of the finest people I've ever had the privilege of working with," he said. "But you look over the last eight years, we've seen a lot of infrastructural improvements. We've seen a downtown that moved from kind of nothing 10 years ago to a very vibrant downtown.

"There's a lot of good things, but I also know there are a lot of challenges," Roe said. "I also hope you can accomplish more than I ever could have on the council. But I have to thank the voters who voted for me twice to represent them. This has been a wonderful opportunity."

— Chad Drury can be reached at cdrury@ottumwacourier.com, and on Twitter @ChadDrury