In keeping with the holidays, outgoing Bainbridge Island City Councilmember Michael Pollock basically set peace on earth and goodwill to men.

“Carry peace and love in your hearts” was what he actually said at his last meeting Dec. 12.

Mayor Brenda Fantroy-Johnson presented Pollock with a plaque to thank him for his service. He served for four years after serving four others years ago.

“I want to thank you for standing up for me, voting for me, and always being there to listen to me,” Fantroy-Johnson said.

Councilmember Jon Quitslund praised Pollock for following his ideals and not just going along with the crowd. “It’s hard to be oneself all the time. What you’ve done you’ve done from your heart. I honor you for your efforts in that regard.”

Councilmember Kirsten Hytopoulos thanked Pollock for supporting environmental issues time and time again. She also showed him respect for “putting your actions behind your words, even though they were often on opposite sides of things. No matter how much we disagree—this is really hard work,” she said, adding that people who criticize should step up and run for office.

Pollock mentioned that when he came on this term there was yelling and screaming at his first meeting. He said one member told him, “Welcome to this dysfunctional family.”

He said, “We were able to overcome it,” thanks in large part to the “wisdom to bring Blair King on as city manager.” He said they have learned “how to resolve things peacefully,” and how to respect each other even when they disagree.

He added he is proud of how the city has advanced with diversity, pointing out Ashley Mathews is taking over his spot and will add another voice and perspective of inclusion.

He said more has happened in the world over the past four years than the previous 20 or 30. “We’re truly a global community.”

He compared what happens on BI to throwing a pebble into a pond and watching the waves spread outward. “We are a small community, but we have to integrate. “What we do reverberates throughout the world.”

Pollock parted by saying they likely will see him at council meetings during public comments. “It will be a three-minute meeting rather than a three-hour meeting,” he said.