Mayor Doug Athas honored outgoing District 4 Council Member B.J. Williams for his service to the city and for serving as a council member from 2012-2018. The mayor said that it has been a pleasure to serve with Williams.
“I’ve always been able to turn to you and rely on you and your counsel and I’ve been so proud of how you’ve reached out and worked with other communities and tried to be the voice for Garland every place you went and always represented us well,” Athas said.
Williams received a flag and plaque for his service and thanked his family for the sacrifices they made so that he could serve the city, along with the mayor and other council members.
“I’ve been honored to serve with them on what I think is the greatest job in public service in America in the greatest city in America,” he said. “I want to express my gratitude to all my colleagues.”
The council member also thanked the citizens of Garland, particularly those in District 4, for placing their trust in him.
He expressed his appreciation to Bryan Bradford, Garland’s city manager, along with the entire city staff.
“I say it everywhere I go,” he said. “We’ve got the best city staff in America and I believe that.”
He encouraged the new mayor and council members to keep in mind Jeremiah 11, which says, “I know the plans I have for you.”
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to serve you in the greatest city in America,” Williams said.
Mayor Pro Tem David Gibbons honored outgoing Mayor Doug Athas for his service to Garland, saying that Athas had served the city in multiple ways. He served his neighbors in their homeowners’ association, was a member of the Plan Commission, served on City Council for six years and was mayor for five years.
“Needless to say, his long- time involvement and commitment to the city has made a huge impact on our city,” Gibbons said. “He’s been actively involved for many years in shaping and guiding not only the current state of our city but in plans for the future of our city as well.”
Gibbons presented Athas with a flag and a plaque to honor and thank him for his service.
“This is not really about me,” Athas said. “It’s about the future of Garland and where we are going to go and about my successor.”
He mentioned a few goals reached during his terms.
“The things that we tackled over the last five years were just amazing and we’ve managed to bring some of them so close to the finish line and have gotten a number of them across the finish line. I think it is a testament not only to the citizens of Garland but to the City Council and the staff,” he said. “I want to thank all the council members for your participation and working and being here all the time.”
He also thanked city staff and said that they are the best staff “of any city in the State of Texas, perhaps in the country.” He added that they do not often get credit for all they do.
“Together as a city, we’ve done amazing things and I’m extremely proud of where we are today and I’m extremely proud of where I believe we are going in the future,” Athas said.