By Maria Baier

Phoenix City Councilwoman, District 3

    A brief note to say “thank you” for allowing me the privilege of representing Phoenix City Council District 3 for the past 18 months. I cannot say enough about the goodness of the people of D3. It is like a colony of the kindest, smartest, most industrious and benevolent people on Earth, and I have found myself inspired every single day by your contributions to our community.

    This tradition was in place well before my arrival, and it will remain long after my departure. Please know, though, how much it has meant to me to be a small part, largely an observer, of your goodness. I have said many times that I finally figured out how the world stays on its axis—it’s all the good stuff the people in D3 do (and hardly ever does anybody utter a word about it).

 

Thank you very much for your trust in me, for coming to the D3 breakfasts and movies, and even baseball games and horse races. It was a fun run! I hope you know that I tried very hard to be responsive to the issues you brought forward. We may not have batted a thousand in terms of what you had hoped the answer would be, but we did our level best to get as much done as we could for you.

    On June 16, Governor Brewer appointed me to serve as Arizona State Land Commissioner, and I am most grateful for this opportunity. In order to fulfill my duties as Commissioner, however, I had to resign from my seat on the council. This would be almost impossible to bear were it not for the fact that my family, my home and my heart will remain right here in D3, and I will continue to see you and spend time with you and, of course, care for you. In fact, I will continue to serve you—just in a different capacity.

    The list of people to whom I owe thanks seems endless, so I won’t try to name everyone, though I wish I could. I would like to say thank you to Mayor Phil Gordon, for your leadership, for always wanting and doing what is best for this city, for standing up for what is right, and for your rare breed of inclusivity in projects and initiatives. Evidence of your leadership is all around us and will remain a great legacy forever.

    I would also like to thank each of my fellow council members. I can genuinely say I have enjoyed working with each of you. The buzz around City Hall is that “this is a good crop” on the council. I couldn’t agree more. They check their egos at the door, and always come armed with a dedication to the public good, a sharp mind, a high standard of professionalism and, most important on many days, a good sense of humor. I will truly miss working alongside all of you.

    Please always know I am easy to reach and hope to stay in touch. I don’t know what my exact e-mail address will be, but I’m sure you can soon find it on the Arizona State Land Department Web site (http://www.land.state.az.us/).

    In the meantime, thank you, again, for the great privilege of serving you and, even more, for your warm friendship and loving participation in making this such a great place to live. God bless you.