Out With the Old, in With the New

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect a correction. Patty Ruth served as School Board president for 14 years, and on the board for 18 years. The original article said she was on the board for only 14 years.

Port Washington residents are seeing a lot of turnover among their elected officials this year, with decisions by Port Mayor Scott Huebner and School Board members Patty Ruth and Myron Praeger to not seek re-election.

Ruth, who was also School Board president, had served on the board 18 years. Praeger had served 15.

"It’s amazing that you can spend so much time in an organization and look back and say, 'Where did this time really go to?' But I've never been so proud of an organization like this … the stories were countless, where the teachers have gone beyond the call of duty," Praeger said during a School Board meeting on Monday night. "The community is served well by this School District, it’s a lot to be proud of. ... From the bottom of my heart, from my family, we truly appreciate it, because this is a special community. Thank you for being awesome.”

Ruth's husband and two sons were at Monday night's meeting, and she thanked her family as well as board members for the time she was able to serve on the board. 

"It is very heartwarming to walk into a building and know that every single person in that building is working hard to achieve our mission (to do the best we can for the kids)," Ruth said. "To serve with a group of people like yourselves. You guys are awesome — it has been a joy. ... It has truly been a gift to me."

Huebner has been the leader of Port Washington for nine years, but as well as focus on raising his four boys.

"Basically, it came down to my political beliefs that people shouldn’t be in political office forever," Huebner said.

• Related: Port residents .

The general election takes place on Tuesday, with polls open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Patch has listed information about the candidates in all contested races on our .

Candidates Tom Mlada and Jim Vollmar are vying to replace Huebner in the .

Candidates , ,  and  are vying for the two opening Port seats in the  race.

Also, .