ASHLAND — Councilman Bob Valentine Jr. gave his penultimate farewell to his fellow council people following the presentation of a special plaque given to him by Council President Steve Workman.
“It’s been a pleasure,” Valentine said. “It’s been tough at times, but I worked with a lot of people and I’ve had a good time. And it’s time that some different people take over.”
Valentine, Ashland’s councilperson representing the second ward, decided earlier in the year to not seek re-election after serving 16 years in the role.
He worked alongside his father, Robert Valentine, for five of those years. His dad represented Ashland’s first ward for two terms beginning in January 2004. His time on city council followed a 30-year teaching career, 19 years on the Ashland school board and multiple terms as county commissioner.
Valentine said his father’s involvement in local government, and work with Joe Murray during a 1970s run for state representative, inspired him as a young person.
“My dad was a Republican, and Joe Murray, he was a Democrat,” Valentine said in a May story. “Looking back I think that really meant something to me and taught me a lesson about being impartial.”
Come January, Jason Chio will take over as the city’s second ward representative. Chio, a Republican, edged opponent Heather Sample, a Democrat, for the seat.
“You guys have a lot of stuff ahead of you,” Valentine said to council. “So I don’t envy you.”
Workman and his colleagues presented Valentine with a plaque at the end of Tuesday’s council meeting, recognizing the councilman’s dedication to the city over the last 15 years.
Council will meet one last time in 2021, at 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 30, to pass legislation related to the city’s budget.
Valentine said he will spend time with his family and continue to run his business, South Street Antiques, in 2022 and beyond.
