Robert Simison sworn in as Meridian mayor; Tammy de Weerd says goodbye after 16 years
While working as her chief of staff, Robert Simison always considered himself as the logical, analytical counterbalance to Mayor Tammy de Weerd’s sentiment and passion.
But by the end of his swearing-in ceremony Tuesday night, both had to work hard to get words out between the tears.
In her last speech as mayor, De Weerd expressed her gratitude for the last 16 years and called on the crowd gathered in City Hall to support Simison as well as the city’s three new council members.
“Being a public official is not always easy,” she said. “They’re going to need you.”
De Weerd said she had set out as mayor to focus on family: “to live, work and raise our family right here in Meridian.”
“And folks — we did it,” she said.
In February, De Weerd announced that she would retire so she could spend more time with her family. But on Tuesday, she said she’d miss her “other family” — the staff at Meridian City Hall.
As Simison took his seat of his former boss, he looked out over the audience, where he had spent many a night taking notes and listening as De Weerd’s chief of staff.
“People have been asking me for two months if I’m excited or if I’m nervous. Right now: yes,” he joked.
Simison thanked his supporters and family, including his mother, who came in from Pocatello to watch her son be sworn in, and his sister, who he said had acted as a “second mom to me.”
He pledged as mayor to honor “what makes this area so special: the role and focus on the family.”
Leaving the council were Anne Little Roberts, Ty Palmer and Genesis Milam.
“It’s truly been an honor,” said Little Roberts, who last year ran for mayor, giving up her council seat. “Meridian has the best citizens and the best employees.”
Milam, too, teared up as she said goodbye.
“The last 6 years have been incredible,” she said. “The friendships, relationships and employees — leaving them is the hard part for me.”
Palmer, son of state Rep. Joe Palmer of Meridian, said he was walking out the door with his family, “knowing there’s not one moment here in my service for which they should be ashamed.”
Three new council members were sworn in. They focused heavily in their campaigns on the growing pains of the Boise area.
The cohort includes Brad Hoaglun, who De Weerd in 2008 appointed to fill a vacancy on the council. He was re-elected in 2009 and served until 2013, and ran unopposed for Seat 3 in 2019. Hoaglun works for Mission Aviation Fellowship, a Christian nonprofit based in Nampa.
Also sworn in was Elizabeth Strader, a managing director for Capital One’s capital markets department.
Strader also thanked her fellow newcomer, Councilwoman Jessica Perreault, who she campaigned with.
“In the process, not only did I find a colleague, I found a friend,” she said.
Perreault thanked to the previous council members for their commitment, and she thanked her supporters.
Staying on the council are Treg Bernt, Joe Borton and Luke Cavener. Their seats will be on the ballot in 2021.
After the swearing in ceremonies, a new City Council beside him, Simison kept the meeting going. There were routine matters of city business to tend to: a public hearing, development applications, staff reports.
Most of the audience left the council chambers for the City Hall lobby where cake was waiting — with the notable exception of the former mayor. De Weerd sat in the back row, accompanied by her husband and listening to the familiar transactions of city business, now under the direction of a new leader.
Finally, she slipped out for a piece of cake, too.
This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 9:33 PM.
