WENDELL - The Wendell town board will have to find its voice when meetings resume in 2012 after the terms in office of the most vocal elected officials – Commissioners Sid Baynes and Carol Hinnant and Mayor Harold Broadwell – ended Monday night.

Although there were acrimonious exchanges between the two commissioners and the mayor at times, Baynes and Hinnant were also the most vocal commissioners on any issue that was brought before the board.

“This is my last (meeting), but it seems like just yesterday when I joined the board. When I agreed to run, I agreed to four years, one term. I think change is good on the board,” Baynes said. “I understand, in this role, no matter how difficult, I was constantly reminded the challenge of office is worth doing to work toward a more positive future.”

Baynes thanked the citizens of Wendell for their encouragement and advice.

“Without (them) I couldn’t sit here. I understood they were my bosses,” Baynes said.

Baynes said just before Commissioners Ginna Gray, Ira Fuller and Christie Adams joined him and Hinnant on the board in December 2009, they met informally and made a pact to support each other and listen to each person’s opinion before they made a decision.

“I appreciate each of you. We did not always vote the same but we understood each other,” Baynes said.

Baynes said he was now moving onto a more important job than the one he is leaving, he’s going back to being a citizen of Wendell.

“I will continue to make my voice heard and I promise to support every elected official who represents the common interest of the citizens of Wendell,” Baynes said.

“I’ll be around. I will not be in the way, but I will be a resource.”

Hinnant’s last meeting marked the end of her two terms on the town board.

“I’ve been on the board eight years and the last two have been a pleasure. Working with these four other commissioners (restored) my faith in small town government,” Hinnant said.

“I’d love to hug everyone on the staff of the town. Nobody knows how hard they work.”

Hinnant said coming into office eight years ago after working in state government, she thought running a small town would be easy, but learned it takes a great deal of effort and dedication.

“Until you serve on the board, you don’t see what they face in each department, working on a very small budget,” Hinnant said.

Like Baynes, Hinnant said she will stay involved in the town.

“It was a pleasure serving the town of Wendell. It will be my home from here on out, I have a plot reserved at Greenmount (Cemetery), but I don’t plan to be there soon.

Hinnant also presented a box of snack crackers to Fuller, saying she wanted to keep from getting hungry during meetings.

Broadwell became the face of Wendell at events in town and especially at the state and regional level.

“Serving as mayor is the highest honor and greatest privilege. I have been an attorney for 34 years, which is an honor, but serving Wendell is the peak privilege of my career and I thank you all,” Broadwell said.

Broadwell said he worked at the mayor’s job as if it was a full time position.

“I worked hard and have done the best I can do. I traveled through Wake County and stood in front of hundreds of people and let them know, proudly, where I am from,” he said.

Broadwell said there are 12 mayors in Wake County and the area is growing together into one big urban community.

“To be successful, Wendell must recognize it has a place at the table. That is what I’ve tried to do,” Broadwell said.

Broadwell thanked each manager he’s worked with, the town staff and the citizens of Wendell, especially his wife, children and Sam the dog.

“It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve enjoyed almost every minute of it. I said I would not govern to get re-elected. I have not served to please people, but to serve the people of Wendell,” Broadwell said. “It has taught me the value of public service, I believe in public service. I have gained a great appreciation for local government, where people are served at their most basic and necessary level.”