Tyler

By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer

Mayor Joey Seeber pounded his gavel to restore order during one of the final meetings he will preside over as mayor. The gathering of city department heads, staffers, City Council members, the mayor-elect and Seeber's wife and sons stood quieted by the loud knocking.

"I am still in charge here," Seeber said, smiling at his friends and co-workers who had risen from their seats to give the outgoing mayor a resounding ovation. City business moved smoothly along during the meeting Wednesday morning as the council acted unanimously on every item brought before it, including an item not on the agenda. They all took time to publicly give thanks to Seeber as he nears the end of his final term as Tyler's mayor.

Business was handled with care and diligence, but the morning session was light-hearted, mixed with jokes amongst the council and their mayor. Before the council entered an executive session, voted on one last piece of business and adjourned, the council members expressed their thanks and appreciation to Seeber and his family on a job well done.

During Seeber's three terms as mayor, the city enjoyed lower property rates, an end to general obligation debt and balanced pay-as-you-go spending, leaving the city in great shape for future projects.

Councilman Nathaniel Moran said Seeber had acted as the captain of a ship in his guidance of the city over the past six years. He said Seeber navigated the city in the right direction. When he began thinking about the type of mayor and person Seeber characterized, Moran said Galatians 5:22-25 came to mind.

"The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance and against these things there is no law," Moran quoted. "It's the list that exemplifies who you are and what you have done for the city."

Councilman Charles Alworth said that though there had been times of disagreement in the past, he and the mayor were on the same page as far as the city's future was concerned. He ribbed Seeber about receiving a more decisive win over an opponent both men had faced in past elections. Seeber corrected him.

"I got 88 (percent)," Seeber said.

"And I got 87 (percent)," Alworth said agreeing, as everyone laughed.

"And that is the first time in public I've heard you say it," Seeber quipped back.

As the laughter died down, councilman Chris Simons gave sincere thanks to the mayor for the leadership he has shown and the personal guidance he gave to Simons as a newly elected councilman.

"Over the years I have tried to listen and learn and he's been a phenomenal inspiration to me to see how the city operates and how to make decisions here," he said. "The citizens are totally grateful to have a man of this caliber leading this city."

Councilman Steve Smith echoed the sentiments of the council. Smith said when involved in work or projects, he wonders if the organization is better off now than when he started.

"I think when you look at Joey as mayor he obviously made a difference," Smith said. "The city of Tyler is by far better because of his years of service on the council and as mayor."

Councilman Donald Sanders said the past two years working with Seeber has been a pleasure and that he admired the mayor's leadership and guidance. He said Seeber's ability to share himself with the entire city meant a great deal to the community.

Magnetism and charisma stood out as Seeber's defining characteristics in Councilman Ralph Caraway's mind. He said foremost, Seeber had spent the last 12 years as a servant to the citizens of Tyler. "In the next years to come we will realize what a great leader you were," he said. "I look forward to your bright future and I don't think we've seen the last of Joey Seeber."

After the ovation and restoration of order, Seeber was at a loss for how to effectively respond to the council's remarks. He said the city's staff and workers don't get the headlines but make the city run on a daily basis, and he wanted to thank them. He said the current council and previous councils he has worked with "to a person, are all concerned about the city as a whole than they are about their individual districts."

He thanked family friends for their support and help with handling parental duties, such as shuttling his sons to ballgames and practices. Seeber looked to the front row and gave thanks to his wife and sons for their tremendous support through ups and downs. He said he could not have done the job without them. Finally, Seeber said he wanted to thank the citizens for allowing him to serve the city on the council and as mayor and for their continued confidence in him. "Thank you, to all, for this opportunity specifically and the opportunities to serve," he said. "My heart is full of thanks."