By Town Crier Staff

Outgoing councilmembers, from left, Francis La Poll, Kris Casto and Lou Becker accept a farewell cake thanking them for their time on the Los Altos City Council last week. Their terms ended last month.

Los Altans last week bid farewell to the city council responsible for bringing the first hotel chain to town, adding 19 new units of affordable housing within city limits and dedicating two gymnasiums to the community over the past eight years.

Councilmembers Kris Casto, Lou Becker and Francis La Poll handed over their council roles Dec. 2.

Over the course of their terms, councilmembers Casto, La Poll, Becker and their colleagues John Moss and King Lear may not have always agreed on every issue, but they always appeared to conduct business in a respectful manner, the outgoing members told a full house last week.

“What makes for democracy is not simply having elections, but having the peaceful transfer of power as a consequence,” La Poll said during his farewell speech.

Cuba and Zimbabwe have elections, but there is no transfer of power, he added.

“I’m pleased to have been involved in that transfer,” continued La Poll, who was defeated while trying to secure his third consecutive term in the November election.

Ron Packard, David Casas and Curtis Cole joined Moss and Lear on the dais.

Moss was named mayor and Casas mayor pro tem for the next year.

“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Los Altos community for your confidence … and your ongoing support and encouragement,” Casas said.

He told residents he sees the state’s fiscal uncertainties and land use development as key challenges during his term.

Moss said that his goal as mayor is to revitalize local businesses.