News

Jeremy Rogers thanked city residents in a video from Qatar. Photo provided

By Mary Hladky

Former Deputy Mayor Jeremy Rodgers, who was unable to complete his second term in office after his August deployment to Qatar in support of NATO operations in Afghanistan, bid farewell to city residents on the day his term would have ended.
In a video filmed in Qatar, the Navy Reservist thanked city residents and his fellow City Council members on March 31.
“I’ll never stop fighting for you guys who put me here,” he said to residents. “I have done everything I can to serve you guys, to fight for you, to do what is right. What a wonderful city we have. It is an amazing place. It has truly been an honor to serve.”
He promised to continue serving the city “one way or another.”
Mayor Scott Singer presented Rodgers with a plaque in his honor, and all five council members thanked him for his service to his country.
“He served our community with honor, as one would hope with any elected official,” Singer said. “He brought unique insight to our discussions on the dais and made them better.”
On April 22, Rodgers posted a brief update on Facebook: “Heading home,” he wrote from Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, followed by emojis of the U.S. flag and an anchor.
Council members appointed Yvette Drucker on Oct. 27 to replace Rodgers until his term ended. Drucker already had started campaigning for term-limited Rodgers’ seat and won election to a three-year term on March 9.
After honoring Rodgers, council members unanimously agreed to make no changes to their positions. Andrea O’Rourke will continue as deputy mayor, Monica Mayotte as Community Redevelopment Agency chairperson and Andy Thomson as CRA vice chairperson.