Indian River Shores doesn’t have a town council race on next week’s ballot – even though Mayor Brian Foley, Councilman Sam Carroll and Councilman Peter Tedesko rounded out their terms at the Oct. 22 town meeting. Carroll and six-time mayor Foley are term limited, having served eight years, and Tedesko served nine months after being appointed in January to fill in for Judge Bill Dane, who died in December. Three new members who ran unopposed secured their seats in August. Theresa Morgan, Patricia Brier and Robert Stevenson will join Vice Mayor Bob Auwaerter and Councilman Jim Altieri on the dais next month. Speaking at the Oct. 22 meeting, town building official Fred Held had high praise for the outgoing leaders, who serve four-year terms with zero compensation. “I would just really like to take a moment to say a massive thank you to you, Mayor Foley, and Councilmember Carroll, for your eight years of dedicated leadership here in the town of Indian River Shores,” Held said. “Beyond your support for the building department, thank you for everything you have done overall to protect Indian River Shores. Your respect for staff and deep commitment to our residents have made this town a truly exceptional and well-run community to work in. You have set a wonderful benchmark for public service, and we will greatly miss your guidance on the dais,” Held added. “At the same time, I want to extend a very warm welcome to our incoming council members, Pat Brier, Rob Stevenson and Theresa Morgan, as well as our next mayor,” Held continued. “The town staff and the building department look forward to working closely with all of you to maintain the signature charm, integrity and high standards that define the Shores.” Code Enforcement Inspector Jake Maikranz spoke next on behalf of his department, saying, “As your term comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to personally thank you both for your service, your support, and the time you have dedicated to the town of Indian River Shores. I truly appreciated the opportunity to work with you and the relationships we have built along the way. “Your willingness to serve, listen and make decisions in the best interest of our community does not go unnoticed. It has been a privilege to work alongside you, and I’m grateful for the positive impacts you have made on our town,” Maikranz said. Similar remarks followed as town staffers from public safety to the town attorney expressed their gratitude. Foley and Carroll count key hires such as Town Manager Jim Harpring and Town Clerk Janice Rutan as some of their major accomplishments in the past eight years. While many council members and mayors in the town’s history have approached their service as honored caretakers of an idyllic place, Foley and Carroll took a more hands-on approach to cultivating and mentoring the town staff. Appreciation for that approach showed in the comments town employees shared – and the feeling was mutual, as the outgoing council members heaped praise back onto the staff. Carrol prepared a list of reasons why he enjoyed serving on the council for eight years – learning about government, making an impact on the town, seeing projects completed and having a hand in the town’s future. “The fifth reason is the experience of working with such a capable, talented and dedicated town staff,” Carroll said. “To town employees working in the building department, I commend you on the role you play in keeping the town’s construction and renovation economy humming. For those working in public safety, including our code enforcement officer, I commend you for the role you play in keeping the town’s residents safe and secure.” Carroll said town finance director Heather Christmas “has been the bedrock of this community by virtue of the unparalleled professional job you have done keeping the books.” He said Lucy Scheidt “has excelled as the keeper of the gate ... managing the daily operations, maintenance and safety of the town’s physical workspace.” He also commended town clerk Janice Rutan: “Indian River Shores struck gold when you came on the scene and were hired as town clerk,” Carroll said. “How fortunate we have been to have a former town manager with years of experience handle the multitude of responsibilities associated with those of the town clerk.” Foley summed it up, saying, “I echo Sam’s compliments about everyone who is on the staff here, because without you, we would be up here bloviating with really no consequences and no ability to implement the things that we have.” The three new council members will be sworn in on Nov. 12 and will select a new mayor and vice mayor at that organizational meeting.