Peaceful transfer of power

The mayor for the past four years of Hanna, Lois Buchanan, stepped down on January 3, at a special town council meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Hanna Town Hall. Council members Sammy Sikes, Jayson Nordquist and Bill Dys were in attendance while council member Tracy Fowler was absent. Buchanan, running a little late by her own admission and got to the meeting just as it was 6:30 p.m.

"What a day to be late," Buchanan joked as she sat down. "Especially since we have only one thing on the agenda." She was referring to the swearing in of Jon Ostling as the new mayor of Hanna.

Osting went up before the Council and took the oath of office.

After the oath, Buchanan thanked the residents. "I would like to take a minute to thank everybody for bearing with me for the last four years," Buchanan said. "It has not always been fun, but it was a fantastic learning experience that I would never have known. Thank you."

Ostling spoke a few words after Buchanan. "I would like to say a thank you to Lois," Ostling said "Recently you have done some hand holding in explaining things to me and the status of what is going on. She told me about the library of books available and has been helpful in this transition."

Buchanan said she would still around.

"I will be available to answer any questions you have anytime," Buchanan said. "Anything I can do to help you, I will be glad to."

Ostling then went to the mayor's seat and took control of the keys Buchanan handed him.

Mayor Ostling's first act was to adjourn the meeting. Hanna, a small town in the USA, witnessed the transfer of power of an elected official smoothly with a strong sense of cordiality, even though four years ago the two people had been opponents. The town of Hanna can only benefit from this type of transfer of power.