City Council bade farewell Thursday to Council members Don Zimmerman and Sheri Gallo, both of whom lost their bids for re-election, at the last meeting before their replacements are sworn in next month. Mayor Steve Adler took a few minutes to pay tribute to both of his departing colleagues. He credited Zimmerman, a vociferous critic of government spending and high taxes, for bringing a perspective that had traditionally been excluded from Council but existed at “kitchen tables and water coolers throughout this city.” He lauded Gallo for “serving as a bridge between differing views” and highlighted her efforts on the transportation bond, saying that he will always informally refer to Loop 360 as “Loop Sheri Gallo” because of her push to improve the road. Gallo, choking up at times, responded in kind and spent a few minutes describing things she liked about every one of her colleagues. Zimmerman’s remarks were briefer and less emotional, although he noted that “after we have an argument here, mostly instigated by me, when we got into the back and have lunch and talk about kids and the weather, it’s all civil.” Zimmerman, perhaps former City Manager Marc Ott’s greatest antagonist, also said Council should not rush to hire a replacement, saying that interim City Manager Elaine Hart is doing a great job.
Council says goodbye to Gallo, Zimmerman
