I have been putting off summarizing the last four years serving as mayor up until the very end. I have had such a good time and enjoyed most of it. It was not an easy decision to decide not to seek re-election, but it was something I had to do. I will always be an unwavering supporter of our community as it done so much for me personally growing up here and raising my own family here. I would not have wanted it any other way.
In the last 4 years I feel we have really made some vast improvements in the community. We have updated equipment, policies, infrastructure and more. We have been a voice of reason in the county while debating many important topics. I feel with the new leadership coming in we are going to continue building upon this and moving forward into this decade!
It was my pleasure representing all of the citizens of Fredericksburg, and honestly it is an adventure I would challenge most people to pursue, serve your community, volunteer, belong, get involved. Nothing will educate you in life like giving back to your community and honestly it can be so rewarding. I was so happy to see so many young students attend our meetings, (although they may have been required) it was exciting to see how they reacted. I have been approached by many of them and have had great discussions on how our small government works.
It has been my pleasure working with the great staff that we have in this community, I think we often take for granted what we have here and the expertise that exists within our borders, it is truly amazing!
As I have said before it’s not goodbye for me, it’s more like “see ya later”. I plan to continue to serve the community in many different ways, and someday I may be right back in the council chambers serving in some way or another.
I also need to thank all of the great role models I have had over the years, people like Steve Crawford, who not only taught us government in high school but got involved and served on the council. The late Jim Hotz who was quick to constructively criticize and guide our generation through life then befriend us when we grew up. My Grandpa Ray who served as mayor for about a hundred years, and was a great resource and still is! Chuck Stone and Jerry Linder who were always quick to give me advice and make sure I was doing it right! My parents of course for there guidance and a special thank you to my family especially my wife for putting up with all the craziness that comes with the job and the added stress in her life!
And most of all, thank you, Fredericksburg, it has been an adventure!
Until next time!
Shain Kroenecke