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When he hosts Town Council meetings, Mayor Ramon Hayes tries to limit his input, often choosing to defer discussion to others.

But as a member of the audience at the teleconferenced Jan. 19 Planning Commission session, Hayes felt free to speak at length.

He logged in to offer words of encouragement to panel members and pay tribute to outgoing Town Planner Marianne Manville-Ailles and retiring longtime commissioner Linda Talman.

"I want to thank the commissioners for their service,” Hayes said at the close of a two-hour meeting that delved into housing density guidelines and exterior design and maintenance proposals from the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner’s downtown Historic Preservation District.

“It’s not easy work,” Hayes stressed. “It’s technical work and you all are positioned well to handle it.”

Hayes welcomed aboard new commissioner Rick Dole, named to succeed Talman, who stepped down last month from a post she had held since 1977. During her tenure she advocated for wetland preservation, multi-modal transportation and public leisure and recreation opportunities, among other causes.

“Linda is a very special person,” Hayes said. “She is near and dear to my heart.”

Commission chair Liz Theaker and Manville-Ailles likewise saluted Talman for her tireless service.

Hayes praised Dole for seeking appointment to the volunteer advisory commission.

“Volunteerism is going down all over the country,” he noted. “But that’s not the case here in La Conner. We’re well taken care of.”

Hayes also thanked Marianne Manville-Ailles for her work here over the past three years.

“She has provided a steady hand,” Hayes said of Manville-Ailles, who is leaving to take a planning position with the City of Mount Vernon.