This is my Swan Song after many years of civic involvement in the Rockland community. While I will still run my business, E.C. Moran Insurance as the fourth generation, and be downtown every day, I am moving my residence out of the city. So then, after 31 years, I will then not be allowed to hold office in Rockland or be on a standing committee.

I was young, single, and naïve when I first ran for City Council in 1986. In my 20s, I had time, and thought I would give it a try, not knowing how much it would color my life. I was just ending a year as president of the Knox County Business and Professional Women; after all, women were not allowed to join the Kiwanis or Elks or the many men’s groups.

I believe only three women went before me on the City Council. I served briefly with Jean Chalmers, who did a lot to pave the way for women in politics. I had worked on founding the Rockland Crime Watch with the help of the Chamber, much needed as Rockland then had one of the highest crime rates in the state – times have certainly changed!

Surprisingly I was elected. Likely, my family name gave me the chance, after all, my grandfather, Carl Moran, had written the City Charter in 1945, and been a member of the first Rockland City Council and in Congress two terms, and my Dad was a third generation business owner of E. C. Moran Insurance. I thank them for paving the way.

From a field of nine candidates, Bob Gagnon and I were elected. I could not have had a better teacher and mentor. We joined dedicated veterans Tom Molloy and Warren Perry, who had many years of Council experience, as well as Raymond Moulaison, who was incredibly thorough in preparation. They were always helpful, all great mentors.

There were often disagreements, but we worked it through together working under a very tight 2 percent budget cap. We researched and built a Transfer Station. We had before us things you may remember, like skateboarders, dogs on Main Street, and development of the Fish Pier. We hired City Clerk Stuart Sylvester, who was to stay with us for decades, one of only a few remaining city employees from that time, and who stepped in as acting city manager at times when needed.

After my first three-year term I joined the Planning Board, then chaired by Erik Laustsen, who will be very much missed when he retires. I served also on the Comprehensive Planning Committee and Personnel Board, later the Energy Advisory Committee.

Then 16 years later I again ran for City Council, because my memory of the nights of coming home frustrated faded while I clearly remembered the pride of accomplishment in doing my part. This time I was much more realistic. I knew that only 20 percent of the vote was mine and that I could do nothing as one person alone. I knew it meant melding a new group of strangers into a functioning panel every year, as much more can be accomplished working together. The Waterfront use, the Fish Pier, and then a Citywide Tax Revaluation were big issues of the day, mostly the Tax revaluation. We had police officers shot in the line of duty, something I hope to never see again.

I am moving to Thomaston. I will no longer be able to serve on any standing committees. Personnel Board is excellently chaired by Joanne Billington, as it has been for many years, and the City is well served.

I felt privileged to have served on the Manager Search Committee, one of the best working groups, thoughtful and considerate. Everybody had an equal discussion and vote, and there was no outside influence on this committee. We worked long and hard and respectfully to do our best. I hope that the search for a Rockland City manager continues to be a thoughtful and deliberate process.

To the citizens and businessowners of Rockland and surrounding communities, please remember, you are a part of the success of a new city manager. When the selection is made, please support this person, and help them to make this community a place we are all proud to live and/or work in. Rockland is unique and beautiful, and has enormous potential if we all work together.

Thank you, Rockland; for helping me grow up from a young single person who ran for office with no idea what she was getting into; for helping me to develop as a person who has a much fuller understanding of her community than she ever could have without serving as an elected official and on City committees.

I will very much miss this involvement in Rockland. I could never name all the people that helped me along this journey, but know you are appreciated, from those who supported me quietly, to those who disagreed with me and showed me why.

I had phone calls late at night and early in the morning (back when people talked on phones instead of commenting online), and my kids hated to go to the grocery store with me because I always got caught up talking politics.

For those who criticize Rockland, I hope that one day you take the time out of your days to do something positive and constructive, to make Rockland better, to help someone. If you do not feel you could run to be a City Councilor – after all, it is a thankless task for the most part, earning a meager $800 a year for hundreds of hours of work and research, then please volunteer your time to garden, serve on one of the dozens of committees, even pick up litter. Do your share.

I did not sit by the sidelines and complain about someone else’s decisions, I jumped into the fray to give what I could give. I am a much better person for it. Thank you, Rockland, and all its people, including and especially those who disagreed with me.

Patti Moran Wotton is soon to be a full time resident of Thomaston