Adam McGough in City Hall’s flag room on his last day at official meetings as a council member.
Adam McGough was downtown for his final council meeting Wednesday, but he wasn’t alone. Constituents from Lake Highlands and Hamilton Park joined current and former council members, police chiefs, district attorneys, county commissioners and other officials to express their appreciation and wish him well.
“Adam has been wonderful for the neighborhood,” said Jeri Baker, who has served almost eight years on the senior affairs commission. “He has looked out for every citizen of District 10. Lake Highlands and Hamilton Park are not only mixed economically but also racially, and this has been a goal of Adam’s — to be a servant to all.”
Baker, a retired librarian, said the “cherry on the sundae” was McGough’s work advocating relentlessly for the new Forest Green branch library, which opened in 2021.
“The original Forest Green branch was built when the city did not have a large budget for the library system. Adam has done an incredible job looking out, not only for residents, but for children. Being a father of three incredible boys has made a huge difference. [Councilmember-elect] Kathy Stewart has big shoes to fill.”
Stewart wasn’t sensitive to such challenges. Instead, she, too, ticked off a list of McGough’s accomplishments.
“It’s been a tremendous journey to watch all the things he’s touched,” Stewart noted, “everything from transportation and economic development by championing LBJ East and the Skillman Gateway Bridge to his work as chair of the public safety committee and bringing Project Safe Neighborhood to Forest and Audelia, one of the top ten crime spots in the city. Then you’ve got all the bond work, getting all the trails expanded, getting the aquatic center built, getting the Willie B. Johnson recreation center remodeled with a fully functioning gym and senior center. I can’t think of a single area of District 10 that Adam didn’t touch in a positive way.”
Stewart’s husband, Robb, who served on the park board during McGough’s tenure, agreed.
“One of the things Adam did best was listen to people and involve them in improving the quality of life,” he said. “Adam did a great job where there were divergent views on issues, getting people to sit down at the same table. They may not have agreed, but he created a forum for them to hear each other out in a civilized manner. Even though they were emotional, he gave people an opportunity to be heard by the other side.”
Thomas Jefferson, revered by many as the unofficial “Mayor of Hamilton Park,” was also on hand to congratulate McGough, though he admitted he was sad to see him leave office.
“I’ve been around a long time,” Jefferson said. “Alan Walne was my councilman, then Bill Blaydes, then Jerry Allen, then Adam. Adam set a tone — he was informative, and he represented District 10 well. And when I say District 10, I mean everyone in District 10, including Hamilton Park. I’m pretty sensitive when I am speaking the truth about someone, and I mean this — I don’t think I will ever see a city council member like Adam again.”
Sylvia Bodell serves as arts and culture commissioner, and she recalled first being introduced to McGough at Wildcat Stadium.
“I was blown away by how engaging he was with every single person. It was genuine, it was authentic and he’s continued to do that for eight years. He was a newly-minted councilman back then, and from that point on he has allowed other people to be involved. That kind of engagement is different and unique. He invites you in and finds you a place to contribute. He has a gift for helping you explore ways to give back to the community.”
Stewart will be sworn into office June 20 at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
Councilmembers and other officials stepped in to sing McGough’s praises.
