Rich Moll, right, sits during his final meeting as Rockford City Councilman. Moll served on the board for nearly nine years before declining to run for the office this November and ending his career in service in this capacity.
On Monday, October 8, Rockford City Council saw the end of the council careers of two people with significant service to the town. Councilwoman Mary Eadie ended a 32-year run serving Rockford (see related story, page 1) and Councilman and former Mayor Richard Moll ended nearly nine-years of service.
During council comments Moll asked for the audience’s patience as he made a statement about the significant actions that took place during his tenure. His comments serve as a reminder to residents that Rockford has a long history of improvements and good growth. Following is the list Moll prepared and shared during the meeting:
“As I end my tenure on the Rockford City Council, I would like to take a few minutes to reflect on the accomplishments that took place during that time frame (January 2003 – October 2012). These accomplishments were not initiated by me, but reflect the activities that took place during my time on the city council. They include:
The completion of the North Kent Sewer Authority planning and construction
The planning and construction of the three phases of the Rogue River Nature Walk
The planning and construction of the Promenade of Rockford
The renovation to Peppler Park & The Garden Park
The process to try to establish one exclusive trash hauler
The review and completion of two Master Plans for the City of Rockford
The safe demolition of the Wolverine World Wide Tannery & facilities
Maintaining the 14.9% millage rate, which is one of the lowest in the greater Kent County region
The implementation of a true Public Safety Department made up of our Police, Fire, & Department of Public Service departments
Maintaining the high level of community services with a reduction in city employees
The development of a farm market, one that became the “Nation’s Favorite Farm Market.” I should note that the distinction of being named the “Nation’s Favorite Farm Market” happened by the efforts of Nancy & Cliff Hill
The placement of a high school student to be a representative to the city council.
In addition, Rockford was the first community in the nation to have an app for a Smart-phone, Rockford was the first community in the state to use a Segway for police patrol, became a “Tree City”, continued the evening “Blues Series” and added the “Open Mic Night” and “Praise in the Park”, created a residential & commercial property recognition program, developed and created the “Rockford Dog Park” without tax payer dollars.
All of these items and numerous others not mentioned above are all due to a dedicated forward thinking of the city staff, a council that shares these ideals, and Board & Commission members who give of their time and energy to make Rockford a gem in the Midwest.
As a part of this council for the last eight plus years, I would like to thank the residents of Rockford for their support of me while I served them on the city council. It has been my pleasure and honor to serve as your servant. I may not have always agreed with your thinking, but tried my best to represent the community as a whole. As I leave this seat today, I hope that I will be remembered as a council member who was approachable, responsible, honest, conscientious, and who served with integrity.
As a city council member, I have had the opportunity to get to know the Police officers and Firefighters by attending quarterly meetings and training sessions. I’ve also worked alongside the Department of Public Services employees doing various jobs. In each of these activities I’ve found our employees to be a dedicated group of individuals who are committed to Rockford.
At this time, I would like to ask that you join me in a prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to you this evening to thank you for the wisdom while representing the residents of our community during my time on the city council. As a new city council is seated next month, I want to ask you to take your place in their hearts and minds and provide them with the wisdom to represent each and every community member. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Lastly, during the time I served on the city council, I never moved to adjourn a council meeting, nor did I second that motion. So today, I move that the October 8, 2012 city council meeting be adjourned.”
Moll, in closing the meeting with his motion and a tap of the gavel, for the first time in his long service, ended a meeting, and with that action ended his many years as Rockford City Councilman.
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