|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
After 17 years in Woodside, Town Manager Kevin Bryant will be retiring. The Town Council meeting on May 13 marked his final moments sitting along council members on the dais.
This summer, Bryant and his family will be moving out of the Bay Area to be closer to family. Effective May 15, incoming Town Manager Jason Ledbetter will be taking over.
In honor of his tenure, Bryant was presented with a recognition and proclamation from county Supervisor Ray Mueller, state Sen. Josh Becker and state Assemblymember Marc Berman.
“There’s never been a story about where you haven’t comported yourself in the most professional light,” said Mueller. “I can tell you, as a supervisor from the county, how wonderful that it is to look at a city and know that it’s just being really well done.”
From the state’s proclamation, a humorous line was added in reference to notable moments in Woodside.
“You may find yourself living in an unpermitted ADU and you may find yourself in another sinkhole on Highway 84 and you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large Caltrans backhoe and you may find yourself in a beautiful town…” it said. “And you may ask yourself, ‘How did I get here and how the hell do I get out of here?’”
Bryant started working for the town in 2008 as the assistant town manager, working for former Town Manger Susan George. In 2012, he was chosen to take over the town manager position from among 94 candidates and after a rigorous interview process. For 13 years, Bryant has led many initiatives guiding the town through challenging times.
Throughout his tenure, Bryant has worked with 18 different council members and attended a total of 333 special and regular Town Council meetings and committee meetings.
Community leaders described Bryant as professional, calm and steady.
The town’s proclamation presented by Mayor Brian Dombkowski recognized Bryant’s strong leadership during heavy rain storms, the COVID-19 pandemic, closure of Highway 84 and state housing mandates while continuing to maintain the bucolic scenery and culture of Woodside.
“What people don’t see is when Kevin’s phone rings in the middle of the night, probably on a holiday weekend, and a highway has collapsed, or all hell breaks loose,” said Council member Paul Goeld. “And (he’s) standing out there in the rain with a phone and getting things done.”
Goeld commended Bryant’s success in shaping a town that is financially stable, well staffed and with a great successor in place.
On May 9, the town held a retirement party for Bryant inviting community members to celebrate his long career in Woodside and his commitment to nearly two decades of public service.
