BOISE, Idaho — Boise City Council member Patrick Bageant is stepping down at the end of his term. He said that he's stepping down to concentrate on family as his wife just had a daughter in May.
"This has been a difficult, even painful decision for us to make," Bageant said, "but for the next couple years my family is first. "Public service is a bedrock value for Jennifer and me — my oath to our city, and hers to our nation, has meant compromise and sacrifice. We've been honored deeply to make those choices, but for now we are not going to put their costs on little Parker, too."
The councilman was never affiliated with a political party, despite that, other party affiliated councilmembers made statements on his departure and praised his service.
"It's been an honor and privilege to serve alongside Councilmember Bageant through some of Boise's biggest challenges and policy discussions," Council President Holli Woodings said. "I can always count on him to ask insightful questions, share his thoughts honestly, be agreeable in disagreement, and treat each person with dignity and respect. He's been an incredible public servant and I wish him the best in the future."
"Councilman Bageant is one of the finest public servants I have ever worked beside," Republican Councilmember Luci Willits said. "He welcomed me to the council and graciously helped me learn the ropes. He is honest, compassionate, and has the heart of a public servant. I'll miss him on the council but know he will always be working for the betterment of Idahoans after he leaves office."
Bageant also said that, regarding politics, problem solving was more important to him than ideology.
"I've learned that the national news isn't the local story. Congress may impeach the President, play games with the federal budget, or politicize the Supreme Court, but your local government is getting the trash collected, your kids to school safely, applying the laws fairly and predictably, and leaving you free to live the life you choose," Bageant said. "That's what people want, and I think we do a pretty good job in Boise."
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