Every morning Maureen Parton walks up the Dipsea Stairs past Bob Burton’s house. Those stairs, she said, are the perfect metaphor for the man the City Council honored for 45 years of service to Mill Valley.
“It’s always a climb with Bob. He’s asking you to go further, step higher and do better,” she said. “And by the time I pass his house I’ve still got another whole rise to go, and I just Bob there, and the Burton family, really inspiring us to go that extra step.”
Burton began serving Mill Valley in 1967 when he was appointed to the planning commission. He was elected to the City Council in 1972, and has served on a long list of boards and commissions, including the Marin County Transit District, the Marin County Transit Commission and the Mill Valley Transportation Committee.
He’s currently president of the Marin County Flood Control District Zone 3 Advisory Board – making him the second-longest advisory board member in the history of the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District – as well as a member of the Citizen’s Oversight Committee of the Transportation Authority of Marin, and the Community Vitality Working Group and Arts Subcommittee of the MV2040 General Plan Update Project. (See attached proclamation.)
Mayor Gary Lion presented Burton with a plaque during Monday’s City Council meeting, as his wife Elza and daughter and two granddaughters – who have been living with him since Hurricane Katrina – watched and clapped from the audience.
“Mill Valley is a wonderful community and I’m just grateful that I had the opportunity to participate,” Burton said.
Marin County Supervisor Kate Sears also presented him with a certificate of appreciation from the county, and other community members and city council members and stated their appreciation.
“Bob, long overdue, well deserved,” said Vice-Mayor Andrew Berman.
Some of his proudest moments, he said, were serving on the City Council when Mill Valley built the public safety building – “I wish we had better access to that and I still do. That will always be a thorn in my side,” he said – and working to acquire open space in the city.
“Thank you so much,” Burton said. “I’m honored and I’m humbled – which is not my usual style – and I will never forget this.”
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