WASHINGTON, Ill. – For 24 years, Gary Manier has been Washington’s mayor…that run ends on Monday.
He tells WMBD’s “Greg and Dan Show” there were several factors in deciding now was the time to retire.
“I think one would be getting the more difficult things done at the council table, was part of it. I’ll be 71 in August. And, seven grandkids…I missed a lot of activities over the years due to meetings of the boards I served on and things,” Manier says.
He knows he will probably be most remembered as the man who was mayor when the tornado struck Washington in 2013. But, Manier says he’s also proud of championing the city’s schools and the development of the Washington Five Points facility.
“People just want to be here…whether it’s (because) their kids went to school here, or were in school, our schools are second to none. And, I think that just helps us. Five Points also helps attract new people to our community. I think people just want to be where they grew up, or where their kids grew up,” Manier says.
In the aftermath of the 2013 tornado, just a handful of lots were left undeveloped. Manier says the community banded together to rebuild, making Washington even better in the long run.
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