MONROE — The Monroe Common Council said goodbye to some familiar faces in a special meeting last Tuesday, and welcomed newcomers and those re-elected to the governing body for the city.

Prior to seating the new council, Mayor Donna Douglas lauded Alders Brooke Bauman and Josh Binger for their years of service. Bauman has served on the common council for 12 years, while Binger has logged four.

“She has gone above and beyond,” Douglas said of Bauman’s service. “She always did her homework and knew what she was talking about.”

As for Binger, Douglas said she hoped he would return to Monroe and consider serving in a leadership role again in the future.

“This is the type of Alders we like to see,” said Douglas, gesturing toward Binger. “You’ve added so much to the council.”

Bauman and Binger said they won’t soon forget their time in the spotlight. For her part, Bauman said she has estimated that she has attended about 1,400 meetings during her time in a city leadership role, which includes serving under three city mayors.

“You don’t always have to agree but you always respect one another…,” she urged the new council, in her brief remarks.

Binger said he has enjoyed his tenure and “learned quite a bit” during his four years of service. Both outgoing alders also praised the city’s professional staff for their guidance along the way. 

“Everybody I’ve served with in my 4 years has truly cared about the city,” said Binger.

And with that, the council welcomed the most recently elected members to its ranks: Kyle Knoll, Corrine Wartenweiler, Tom Miller and Andrew Kranig. The were given the oath of office by City Clerk Brittney Rindy.

Of those, only Wartenweiler and Knoll are serving for the first time, as Kranig is starting his second term. And by a close vote of 5 to 4, Ald. Tom Miller was elected president of the new common council.