Current and former city leaders come together in a nostalgic tribute to decades of service and community spirit
By Neil Farrell and Hayley Mattson
Photo courtesy of Paul Donnelly
In a vibrant celebration of community and history, past and present members of the Morro Bay City Council joined together in the city’s 60th Anniversary Parade, offering a rare glimpse of leadership spanning generations. The parade, which drew a lively crowd, saw most of the Council riding in the town’s iconic Trolley, while others cruised in classic cars and convertibles, bringing a nostalgic touch to the celebration.
While the heavily tinted windows of the Trolley obscured photo opportunities during the procession, former Councilman Paul Donnelly came to the rescue by sharing a group photo taken at the Community Center following the event. The photo captured a memorable reunion of former and current city leaders, many of whom hadn’t gathered together in years, making the event all the more special for participants and onlookers alike.
The photo includes Brent McCleod, the City’s Trolley driver, alongside current Councilwomen Laurel Barton and Jen Ford, as well as former Councilman Colby Crotzer and his wife Shoosh. Former Council Members Susan Mullen, Jeff Odell, and Marlys McPherson joined in, along with current Councilwoman Cyndee Edwards. Seated in the center is former Councilwoman Betty Winholtz, next to former Mayor Janice Peters, Paul Donnelly and his wife Linda, Kerry Heller and former Councilman Jeff Heller, Mayor Carla Wixom, and Stevie Anderson with her husband, former Mayor Rodger Anderson.
Donnelly noted that not all pictured had ridden on the Trolley. Edwards and Ford rode in a convertible, while other former elected officials, including former Mayor Jamie Irons and former Council Members Nancy Johnson and Matt Makowetski, also joined the parade but were not present in the post-event photo.
The reunion was a testament to Morro Bay’s enduring sense of community and its leaders’ shared dedication to the town’s growth and well-being. As the 60th Anniversary celebrations continue, the legacy of these council members remains a vital part of the city’s history, reminding residents of the collaborative spirit that has shaped Morro Bay’s progress through the decades.
