I’ve always believed that in a small mountain town, our elected officials are, above all, community members who step up to serve for a chapter in our shared story. This Thursday, April 17, my chapter as mayor comes to a close — I’ll hang up my mayoral hat and return to the role of neighbor and fellow resident.

But before I pass the proverbial baton, I want to take a moment to share my gratitude.

First and foremost, thank you to our sweet town.

In this role, I’ve met people from across the state — and the world — who declare Glenwood an incredibly special place to visit. That’s because of all of you — the community members — who help both locals and visitors enjoy the beauty, charm, and character of the place we’re lucky enough to call home.

To the community members who called, texted, emailed, or stopped to chat with me at City Market — thank you. You kept me informed about the issues that matter most in our community (Side note: please don’t be shy about continuing to visit with me at City Market!).

To the current members of City Council — Marco Dehm, Erin Zalinski, Sumner Schacter, Mitchell Weimer, Jonathan Godes, and Matt Simms — thank you for your commitment to Glenwood and your dedication to building a safer, stronger future for our town.

To those who served with me when I first joined Council — Steve Davis, Charlie Willman, Paula Stepp, and Shelley Kaup — thank you for your respectful, committed, and solutions-based leadership. Your patience and willingness to share your knowledge helped guide me through those early years.

To our city staff — every single one of you — THANK YOU.

I don’t even know where to begin. You keep the lights on, the streets safe, the clean water flowing, the parks green, and the toilets flushing.

To our brave police department and courageous fire department: thanks to you, we live in an incredibly safe community.

The Post Independent wouldn’t print this if I tried to list every department and person at the City of Glenwood who keeps our community running strong, so for the sake of brevity, I’ll just say: I see you. I see what you do for our community. Thank you for being so invested, smart, and hardworking.

To City Attorney Karl Hanlon — thank you for navigating the legalities of a surprisingly complex small town. Your decades of fighting for good water and a healthy community have made a lasting impact.

To City Manager Steve Boyd — we are so fortunate to have you at the helm. Thank you for your steady leadership. You’re really good at your job.

To the critics who engaged with civility and respect — thank you. Hearing diverse perspectives is one of the most valuable tools an elected official can have. Echo chambers don’t serve communities — dialogue does. Thank you for not just identifying problems, but for offering thoughtful solutions.

To my friends, neighbors, and colleagues who called or offered support when the critics were lacking respect — or were just plain mean — thank you for your kindness.

As I reflect, I know I made mistakes, made progress, and did it all with what I believe were the best of intentions — the continued prosperity and charm of our small mountain town.

To my family, who patiently dealt with my wacky, overcommitted schedule and passion for this work: I love you, and thank you.

Many politicians list their accomplishments in a departing letter. I’ve always found that tradition focused more on the “I” than the “we.” My philosophy has always been an adaptation of the Latin phrase E pluribus unum — out of many, one.

The voice of Glenwood’s City Council shifts every two years as new community members step up to serve, and yet that shared commitment and continuity are what keep Glenwood strong. A quick shoutout to all the past council members prior to my time — many who still live here in town — thank you for helping usher in the Glenwood of yesterday, today, and even tomorrow.

During my time on council, we were able to complete projects envisioned years before this group began its term. And I’m optimistic that future councils will carry forward the ideas and efforts we’ve begun. That’s the beauty of community service: it’s a relay, not a sprint.

And so, back to that proverbial baton — which I’m honored to pass to our newly elected city councilors: Steve Smith, Ray Schmahl, and Dave Townsley. I wish you all the best in the coming years.

I will miss regularly seeing my friends at City Hall, our board and commission members, as well as the many community leaders and organizations I’ve been so fortunate to work alongside.

As I shed this title and return to life as a fellow neighbor, I do so with immense appreciation for this community.

It has truly been an honor to serve you.

Ingrid Wussow is mayor of the city of Glenwood Springs through Thursday, April 17. She has served on Glenwood Springs City Council since October 2020.