It was the last meeting of the year for everyone, but the last meeting forever -- maybe -- for a few.

The latter could include Len Miller, Barry J. Simonson, Ruth Harris, Patrick A. Oman and Robert Nelson.

Miller, 4th District Mower County Commissioner, spent his last county board meeting with the man who will replace him looking at him from the spectators' gallery.

Dick Lang, the Austin 3rd Ward council member, was at the meeting to learn about recent issues. Lang defeated Miller in the November election. The district includes all of the city of Austin's 3rd Ward.

Lang and all other new and current office-holders will be sworn in at ceremonies scheduled to begin 8:30 a.m. Monday in courtroom No. 3. District Judge Fred Wellmann will swear in the officials.

The county commissioners presented plaques for public service to Miller, as well as Barry J. Simonson, county sheriff; Ruth Harris, county treasurer; Patrick A. Oman, county attorney; and Robert Nelson, county emergency management director.

Harris, Simonson and Nelson are retiring. Miller and Oman were defeated in re-election bids in November.

"I want to extend my gratitude to Len Miller for serving on the Mower County Board, " said Ray Tucker, 2nd District commissioner.

Richard P. Cummings, 1st District commissioner, also lauded Miller's efforts.

"Every organization needs somebody to step forward and to be active and Len was that person. He brought good information to the board to help us make good decisions," he said.

"I think Len Miller was good for the county and good for the Association of Minnesota Counties, too, at the state level," said David Hillier, 3rd District commissioner.

"It was a pleasure to serve with Len Miller. I regard him as my friend," said Garry Ellingson, 5th District commissioner.

Darryl W. Franklin, county planning director and zoning administrator, also extended his praise to Miller for his public service as a county commissioner.

Franklin also said, "Commissioner Miller was baptized by fire at the county planning commission with controversial issues at the start of his term in office."

Miller said he has no regrets about any decision he made as a county official. He said he thrived on learning as much as he could about an issue in order to make an "informed decision."

His early experiences as chairman of the Mower County Planning Commission, during the discussion of such controversial issues as feedlot regulations, group home location and demolition landfill siting were learning experiences which "taught me a lot about how to control a meeting so that everyone can speak and have input."

He also said the opportunity to serve the public since 1993 was relished.

"You work with people for eight years and you make so many friends at the local levels and at the AMC and at the state level. That was a real pleasure," he said.

What advice does Miller have for Lang?

"Hold on," he said, "You're going to be in for a good ride."

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com