After 19 years, Democrat Dan Besse stepped down from his role on the Winston-Salem City Council Monday night.
In his final speech as a member, Besse praised the council's approach to governing and said its track record of “principled negotiation and compromise” should serve as an example to state legislators.
“And that's a good thing because the challenges that this body will face over the next few years will be neither small nor simple," said Besse. "Revenue and budget constraints, a widening shortage of affordable housing, the growing need for balanced transportation alternatives and other ongoing challenges in public safety, public health, and racial equity.”
Besse lost his bid for the statehouse this year to Republican Jeff Zenger but said he will continue to be part of the “public dialogue.”
His Southwest Ward council seat will be filled by Democrat Kevin Mundy, who was sworn in at Monday's meeting alongside the mayor and all seven other council members.