BEND, OR -- It was an emotional goodbye for three Bend City Councilors at this week's meeting.  It was the final meeting for Mark Capell and Scott Ramsay, who lost their seats in the November election, and Jodie Barram, who did not run for re-election.  

Barram ran for Deschutes County Commissioner, but lost to incumbent Tony DeBone.  She addressed the Council, Wednesday Night. "It's been a long, long ride and I'm not going to look over here, because it will remind me it all started with the Planning Commission and going to Nicaragua with the fire department and seeint their heart for service.  And that's what drew me to this illustrious group."

Of the three outgoing councilors, Capell served the longest: 8 years.  He reminisced with fellow councilors about what he's seen. "I think we have saved lives. There's no way to say we saved 12 lives or more because there's no way to do that. But the money for the fire department to reduce response times... We won't be able to quantify it, but it's a given."  Capell is also proud of helping hire Bend City Manager Eric King and replacing the water pipeline between Bridge Creek and the new water treatment plant. 

Ramsay had only been on the council four years, but felt they accomplished a lot.  "Mark said to me once, if we were voted off because of the surface water project and providing water for our community for years to come, that's something I'm proud of and it's something I'd do all over again."  Ramsay and Capell lost to challengers Barb Campbell and Nathan Boddie.