Mark Winstanley was greeted with accolades, the last City Council meeting of his 37 years in Seaside, first as finance manager and in 2001, as city manager replacing Gene Miles.

Winstanley’s last day was June 30. His decision to retire was made in early 2020.

Winstanley, 68, has been with the city for 929 resolutions through the chambers during his tenure, Assistant City Manager Jon Rahl pointed out.

When Rahl first started, he remembered walking down Broadway with Winstanley, who repeatedly bent over to pick up trash. “He said, ‘You’ll have to join me if you’re going to walk or walk with me,’” Rahl recalled. “That is Mark. He’s continually trying to make this town the best it can be and he’s done a great job at it. I appreciate what he’s done.”

Dan Van Thiel, the city attorney, was appointed in 1969 and was possibly the only man in the council chambers to have worked directly with the city longer than Winstanley.

“I’ve known this guy for a long time,” Van Thiel said. “I’ve seen a lot of city managers over the years I’ve practiced. This gentleman has represented this community with integrity. And I guess all I could say is ‘Well done.’ He is a good and faithful servant. He’s done an excellent job. He truly has. I’m going to miss him.”

Winstanley’s first job after graduation from Oregon State University was with a savings and loan company for two years before taking a job with the College of Agriculture at Oregon State as a supervising accountant. He joined Seaside in 1985 after his father-in-law saw a newspaper ad for the job of Seaside finance director.

City Councilor Tom Horning has followed a path from Seaside High School in the same class as Winstanley. They graduated together, went to Oregon State University and returned to Seaside where they entered city government.

“He was always around. He was one of those people that you could count on to give you a hand when you needed help — and I frequently needed help,” Horning said Monday. “I’d like to just say it’s been a good ride Mark and I look forward to many more days.”

Kimberley Jordan, the city recorder and administrative assistant, said she was “still in shock” by Winstanley’s retirement.

Jordan started in 2001, the year Winstanley became city manager. “From the last 20 years — except for the last year — I’ve heard nothing but ‘I’m never retiring Kim. You’re stuck with me forever.’ I’ll miss you.”

Jay Barber, who joined the council in 2014 and mayor in 2018, cited Winstanley’s leadership skills, financial expertise and ability to navigate controversy.

“I credit Mark for making Seaside the most fiscally vibrant and healthy city on the North Coast and perhaps in Oregon, because of his commitment to conservative fiscal planning, and his almost compulsive, strange Love for budgeting processes,” Barber said. “Also his uncanny ability to bring around him an outstanding team of dependable leaders. Mark, you are leaving some very big shoes to fill for our next city manager.”

In remarks to the council, Winstanley called Seaside an exceptional city.

“It has truly been an honor and a privilege for me to be city manager in Seaside,” he said. “It’s where I grew up. It’s where I’ve lived my life. And it’s where I’ll continue to live my life. And I appreciate the fact that you’ve all given me this opportunity. And I hope in some small way I’m able to repay your trust.”