Forbes Says Goodbye, Hands Out Fortune Cookies
LOCK HAVEN – Former city councilman Ted Forbes, who did not seek re-election in November, made one final appearance in council chambers Monday night. First on the agenda, he spoke warmly of his eight years on council, picked up a basket full of fortune cookies and handed them out to those present, then put on his coat and departed.
In his goodbye, Forbes called his eight years “a successful, productive enterprise…even though I still disagree with you guys on certain issues as you know.” He said, “Our city leaders and staff and our council members have been a joy to work with, and most have impressed me with how professional and well informed they are, and now will continue to be. Our city government is in very experienced, stable, and genuinely, honestly dedicated hands. (But I’ll continue watching.)”
Forbes, a retired Lock Haven University professor, offered one recommendation for the current council: “You all need to be given, along with the press, tours of crucial services facilities, our dams, the remodeled PennDOT building and grounds, the variety of City lands, including our parks, the lands around Piper Airport, and the full extent of the levee the city has responsibilities for.”
“It is very important that the tours be conducted by the employees who are the managers or directors of them. It should be done in small doses, so you have the time to think about what we are actually charged with, what problems and possible solutions may exist, and to listen to and learn from those very important city employees. I wish we had had such advantages in my past eight years.”
He told those present to “Please continue to renew and recommit to your professional responsibilities. Please dedicate yourselves to continuing to become, not just be. Fortify your courage to grow. I wish you all great success.”
