Impact of their service to community honored

Lori Braucks and Mark Vaughan both started on the Hastings City Council, earning at-large seats in 2014. They were both reelected to the positions in 2018.

It was fitting that they also leave the council together. Their last meeting was Monday night, after both decided not to seek re-election to a third term. Angie Haus and Dave Pemble will replace them on the council dais during the next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Monday night’s city council meeting was dedicated to honoring Braucks and Vaughan, as well as longtime city employees and outgoing community commission members.

Outgoing State Rep. Tony Jurgens and State Sen. Karla Bigham honored Braucks and Vaughan by reading State House Resolutions marking the impact they have had on Hastings. Former Mayor Paul Hicks recalled how impressed he was with two new city council members when they were elected to their council seats. Mayor Mary Fasbender presented each with a commemorative photo of historic Hastings City Hall. Council colleagues talked about the impact Braucks and Vaughan had on city government and the inner-workings of the body. Finally, each gave emotion-filled remarks about what service to the community meant to them.

The State Resolutions marked each of their dedication to economic development initiatives and planning in the city, noting their service on the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority, as well as initiatives to spur development and redevelopment downtown and throughout the city. It also marked their support of the Thrive initiative, started in 2016 as a collaboration between the city, ISD 200, the YMCA and other community organizations to broaden diversity and inclusion throughout Hastings.

The resolutions stated that Braucks and Vaughan “believed that upholding the core values of communication, optimal services, respect for resources and enthusiasm and developed or strengthened partnerships that benefit the residents of the city.”

“You’re leaders and you know how to build consensus,” Hicks said. “I was always impressed with the way that you can reach out and build consensus with others, not only among your colleagues here on the council, but community groups around the community. I think we’ve read horror stories in the past where you see councils around the state who can’t get along because they have a personality or two or three that don’t want to play fair. How can we disagree and still move the ball forward? Councilmember Vaughan and Councilmember Braucks, you know how to do that. And that is an art.”

He recalled Vaughan’s thorough analysis of all issues.

“One of the things as mayor, sometimes I would get a little impatient with Mark and we’d have a standoff. He’d say, ‘Did we look at this? Maybe that’s a good idea if we step back and look at x, y and z,” Hicks said. “You made us stop for a moment, think of what we were doing.”

Braucks was always willing to tackle tough issues.

“You have the intelligence of a warrior,” he said. “I had all the confidence in the world that you would do an excellent job.”

To both, he said. “Thank you for being great public servants.”

Fasbender said the two left an impact on how she looks at issues.”

“When something comes to me, I’m going to say ‘What would Mark think? What would Lori say?’ Those are going to be those little things,” said Fasbender. “I am thankful for your patience with me and our conversations we’ve had to build a better council for the community.”

“The two of you have been thinkers,” said Councilmember Tina Folch. “You’ve been leaders. You both bring such wonderful perspective. You’ve made me a better councilmember. I know that folks don’t realize how difficult it is to be such quality councilmembers as you are, and I want folks to know that you come to every meeting prepared. They’ve read their packets. They’ve done their due diligence ahead of time. They talk to others. They’ve done their homework, and they just come prepared to handle it.”

“You both bring such wonderful perspective. You’ve made me a better councilmember,” shared Tina Folch.

Jen Fox echoed those sentiments, talking about the connection councilmembers make in committee meetings, when a lot of the behind-the-scenes work is done.

“I’ve been able to take so much away from your leadership,” she said. “Your guidance has been so helpful to me personally,” she said.

Said Councilmember Trevor Lund, “I’m very much saddened to see both of you leave. We’ll miss you both.”

Vaughan said serving on the council has been a rewarding experience.

“It’s truly been an honor and a privilege to serve,” he said. “I really appreciate all the support I’ve gotten. There have been so many new relationships, a lot of friendships. I’ve learned so much during this role.”

He credited the support the council gets from city staff.

“They’re amazing, and I’m grateful for them, because they education us, they really help us through this process,” said Vaughan.

Families of both outgoing councilmembers were in attendance, and Vaughan and Braucks both got emotional in talking about how much their family support has meant to them.

In her remarks, Braucks keyed on how people can have divergent opinions and still work together for the greater good.

“Then you for trusting me,” she said. “I couldn’t have served with better people. I loved doing this job, and I feel like I’m doing something good. But what’s amazing about it is there’s so much about what happens in the City of Hastings that has nothing to do with me. There are so many people that are doing great things every day.”

“My biggest thing has always been that it doesn’t matter to me if we disagree. Reasonable disagree, but we can still respect each other and move forward. I think that some of that ability is getting lost in our society, to be able to respectfully disagree and be able to still move forward and love each other as people and realize there’s a difference between people and ideas,” Braucks said.

Each received a standing ovation from their peers, staff, incoming councilmembers Haus and Pemble and those in attendance at the meeting.

Outgoing Hastings City Councilmembers Lori Braucks and Mark Vaughan were honored at Monday night’s council meeting. They were presented by Mayor Mary Fasbender with photos of Hastings City Hall with an inscription honoring their service to the community. Pictured are (from left) Councilmember Trevor Lund, Braucks, Vaughan, Fasbender and Councilmembers Jen Fox and Tina Folch. Photo by John McLoone

Councilmembers Lori Braucks and Mark Vaughan were honored by State House Resolution marking their eight years serving on the Hastings City Council by State Sen. Karla Bigham (left) and State Rep. Tony Jurgens (right). Photo by John McLoone