Randy Watts offers a tearful goodbye to Logan City

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Randy Watts choked up at times as he said goodbye Tuesday night to those he has worked with as Mayor of Logan over the last eight years. In a short and unexpected speech, Watts thanked everyone who had helped make the city so great.

“I didn’t give you a Gettysburg Address, I’ve given you a humble goodbye. I’m looking forward to what my future is,” Watts said. “I wish the city the best.

“I wish Mayor (Craig) Petersen the very best and Gene Needham the best now that he’s moving into this. Let’s just keep the city moving in the right direction and put all the energy and time that we don’t digress, that we progress in a good manner.”

Gary Saxton, manager of the Logan Downtown Alliance, thanked the mayor in behalf of 258 downtown business owners for his help creating a downtown project area.

“Under your leadership and your support I’ve recognized the growth of downtown and how it’s thrived,” Saxton said. “Your leadership in the Logan Downtown Specific Plan, specifically, has given us the vision and the direction that we need to head with the city.

“I appreciate, personally, your willingness to balance between running a city and then carving out time to run a downtown.”

In other business Tuesday, the city council elected councilmember Karl Ward as new council chairman and Jeannie Simmonds as the vice chair.

Retired Utah State University economics professor and current Cache County councilmember Craig Petersen will be sworn in at the first meeting in January. He defeated Watts who was running for a third four-year term.

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