December 21, 2021–11:26 a.m.

STAFF REPORTS

Monday’s Rome City Commission meeting was the last for Commissioner Wendy Davis, who stepped down to run for Congress.

During the meeting, Davis was presented a gift from Mayor Craig McDaniel and was saluted by her fellow commissioners including Jamie Doss.

“You have always been very passionate,” he said.  “I want to thank you for your service.  You bring something different and special to the City of Rome, and it’s going to be different without you.”

Randy Quick also spoke.

“We disagree on occasion,” he said.  “But, always, your passion has been a driving force with everything you do, and I appreciate that.”

Bonny Askew, who has served on the city commission at different times with different people, also spoke about Davis’ passion for the city.

“We are all here because we believe in this community,” he said.  “You believe in this community as much or more than anybody I’ve ever served with.”

Davis, who has served two terms on the city commission, said it was a difficult decision to leave.

“I want to take my passion for service, and my determination to fix things that are broken to make government work for the people to a broader area,” she said.  “I appreciate you all training me up, so I am more confident that we can fix things and change things.  Because we have changed things and moved things forward here in Rome.  And I haven’t done it alone.  I’ve had so much support from the community.”

Davis was also lauded for her work with the International Association where she led a delegation of students to Rome’s sister-city of Kumamoto City, Japan in the summer of 2015.

In addition, she has been a leader in planning and hosting student visits to Rome from Japan in 2014, 2017, and 2019.