Tim Reazin said it was crucial people learned to see each other as neighbors not as enemies during his final meeting as mayor Monday night. 

Reazin has been a commissioner for 16 years and mayor for 10, which is the third longest tenure in Eudora history, according to the Eudora Area Historical Society. He was not reelected in November. 

Fellow commissioner Jolene Cullen also sat for her last meeting Monday after choosing not to run again after 14 years on the City Commission.  

Reazin said it was bittersweet. Although he desired to continue his work on the commission, he was happy for the time he got to serve and the things he learned from city staff and community members.

At the end of Monday’s meeting, he thanked his family for allowing him to spend so much time at meetings and fulfilling mayoral duties. He went one-by-one thanking each city department for the work they had done.  

Reazin emphasized the need for senior housing as the commission continues to assess multiple major developments in town. 

“We need to continue to find places to keep them here,” Reazin said. “They’re a valuable asset. They give and give and give, and they teach our children, our grandchildren, and they’ve taught many of the people in this room.”

Reazin said many people only think about how things may affect them personally, but when you serve on a board like the City Commission, you have to think about how actions will affect the community as a whole. 

He closed his final comments as mayor by urging the public to work hard to talk to each other and be human, not letting social media drive them apart. 

“I wish that we would take the time to just talk to each other as humans and grow our circle of influencers, rather than our circle of detractors, and post things that aren’t really factual or are pretty hurtful,” Reazin said. “Those things mean a lot to me. I read every comment. I take every comment to heart.”

During public comment, two of Reazin’s sons spoke. 

“He’s one of those people that does something for the community purely out of wanting to help the community,” Nate Reazin said. “He wants to take time out of this day to improve you guys’ days. So I just wanted to thank him and the entire commission for all they do.”

Cullen said she was glad she was on the commission as long as she was, but was ready to pass the torch. She said the last month had been challenging. She said she was proud of the work done on the bridge over K-10. 

She had a short message for incoming commissioners: “Good luck.” 

Fellow commission members thanked both outgoing commissioners for their long tenures. 

“I appreciate your dedication,” Vice Mayor Tim Bruce said to Cullen. “You and I may not always have seen eye to eye, but I’ll get there. I appreciate the challenge, and it’s been a pleasure serving with you.”

He then thanked Reazin.

“You’ve taught me a lot,” Vice Mayor Tim Bruce said to Reazin. “I wouldn’t be sitting here without your guidance. And I really appreciate everything you’ve done. And I know you don’t always get the response that you want, but I know your heart’s always in the right place, and I really appreciate what you’ve done for us.”

Commissioner Roberta Lehmann said that Reazin had done a great job raising sons who were also community minded, and would continue to serve the community. 

“I wouldn’t have ran had Tim not encouraged me to follow in my dad’s footsteps,” Lehmann said. “So I have him to thank for this right now.”

City staff all thanked Reazin and Cullen, highlighting their support and how they take a lot of the community’s frustration themselves so staff doesn’t have to. 

The room applauded as City Clerk Kelly Delay presented them with awards recognizing their long tenures on the commission. 

Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]