The community bid adieu Monday to Albert Lea Mayor Randy Erdman and Albert Lea City councilors George Marin and John Severtson when the city’s clerk swore in the new mayor and council members at the end of the last council meeting of 2008.

Serving as mayor for the new year will be Mike Murtaugh. New councilors will be Ellen Kehr and Larry Anderson. Vern Rasmussen will begin another term in office.

Marin, the 3rd Ward councilor since 2001, said it has been a privilege to serve the citizens of the city and especially citizens of his ward.

He said being on the Albert Lea City Council has been one of the honors of his life, and there is not one vote he’s cast on the council that he regrets.

Marin said he thinks Erdman will go down as one of the greatest mayors Albert Lea has ever had, and he thinks Albert Lea City Manager Victoria Simonsen continues to be a breath of fresh air. He thanked city staff for the work they do and cited some of the progress that’s taken place in his ward during the last few years.

“I believe we are presently headed in the right direction,” he said.

He encouraged the council in the future to hold to their resolve, to be free and independent thinkers and to always be a councilor first.

“Never forget the people who put you in the seat,” Marin said.

Councilor Reid Olson said he met Marin on the campaign trail. He said Marin taught him to always vote with heart. Severtson taught him about the county’s role in city government, and Erdman instilled the message of being “brief and brilliant” at the Capitol, he said.

During the discussion and farewells, each councilor, along with Erdman, was presented a plaque.

Severtson said he’s enjoyed working with everyone on the council. It has been a pleasure, he noted, and he will miss it.

Sixth Ward Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Al Brooks said he’s had the privilege of sitting on the council for five mayors, dating back to Marv Wangen. During that time, he said, he’s learned that the mayor isn’t all about cutting ribbons.

Brooks said Erdman implemented many smart programs during his time as mayor that he thinks are going to continue. Before his position as mayor, Erdman served as the 2nd Ward councilor.

Erdman congratulated Murtaugh, Kehr and Anderson on their new positions and gave some advice to them.

He said counting the time he’s served, this will be the seventh mayor in 10 years. “This is a big concern of mine,” he said.

He said he got involved with city government “basically for the betterment of the city, no other reason.”

He wanted to give his son a community where he would want to stay and raise a family. Though he is not a native to the city, Erdman said, “you don’t have to sell me on the fact this is a beautiful community.”

“Go anywhere else and try to match the natural beauty we have here and the possibilities we have here,” he said.

While he’s been involved with city government, he’s tried to make Albert Lea more of a destination city, somewhere people want to come and be, he said.

He encouraged people to have patience with the new council and to be “understanding, supportive and not tear them apart,” he said.

“That is my wish, that this community heals, comes together and moves forward,” Erdman said.

He is grateful to have been one of the 36 members of the community to serve as mayor, he said.

“I’m proud of what we accomplished as a team,” he said. “I’m really glad to have had the opportunity to serve as your mayor.

“The vision has been set and I don’t think that anyone can stop it.”