Florence Mayor Frank Willis and city council members Bobby Holland and Rick Woodard have ended their careers serving the city on council.
And all three have done a good job, and the city is better off for their service.
And everyone should thank them for all the time and effort they have spent to make city government better and the city a better place to live.
And it was good to hear them tell the Morning News that they still want to work to make this a better place to live and try and find a different way to do that as they move forward.
That’s good news for all us.
It’s certainly worth a review of things accomplished during their time in office.
There are certain projects that it’s hard for some to understand their impact — such as the efforts to build new water and sewer treatment plants.
Without those, future growth not only in Florence but also in surrounding counties wouldn’t be possible.
They cost a great deal of money to build, and it took much foresight to do that.
The water treatment plant is completed, and work continues on the sewer treatment plant.
That’s two huge projects that the new council members and mayor won’t have to deal with as they move forward.
Things are moving forward, slowly, downtown — there have been more than $60 million in projects approved with most of them east of Palmetto Street.
The completion of the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library and the Florence Little Theatre are two major projects that will have an impact way beyond just those who use them.
There will be groundbreaking in January for the new Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center — a building that wouldn’t have happened without Willis’ leadership and council approval.
City council also worked to get property for the county to use for a new museum.
That’s another linchpin for downtown.
There have been many retail improvements that help build Florence’s tax base.
Willis is also proud of efforts to build a new Florence Area Humane Society animal shelter and more affordable housing built in the city’s low-income neighborhoods.
Woodard told the Morning News he hopes to be able to continue efforts to help those less fortunate in our area.
Holland says he would be happy to use his expertise and experience on a city board.
There are plenty of challenges left for the new and old members of council and the new mayor.
But before too much time passes, it’s worth a review of what has been accomplished and to recognize Willis, Holland and Woodard for their part in bringing it about.
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