She now holds two distinctions: first woman to become mayor of Campbell and first to serve in that capacity five times.

This appointment has even greater significance because it's Watson's final year on city council, after 20 years of service.

In Campbell the mayor and vice mayor are chosen by the five-member city council, not directly by Campbell residents. The vice mayor will be Dan Furtado.

Instead of looking back on her lengthy history with the Orchard City, Watson at the Dec. 13 council meeting spoke of Campbell's future.

"The major focus will be the budget because of the soft economy we're in," she said. "I have a word of advice for Campbell residents--shop Campbell to support the programs you love."

Previous to the council meeting, Watson had said the city will have to focus on maintaining services while increasing revenues, and it should turn to its citizenry for help.

"Certainly we will appreciate everything local service groups can do, like with what just happened with the Carol of Lights," she said.

Businesses and community members stepped up to make the traditional event happen when the city cut the $38,000 festivity from its 2005 budget.

At the council meeting, Watson said she is looking forward to seeing progress in the Campbell Avenue master development, a mixed-use plan that includes retail and office space going up where Fung Lum restaurant once stood at the corner of Bascom Avenue and Campisi Way. She also hopes for progress on the 21-unit condominium project adjacent to the Water Tower Plaza office complex.

The beautification of the Hacienda/ Winchester Percolation Pond is also slated to begin in the next year, Watson said. The city will continue to support the Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority and its plans to build a $5.7 million animal shelter near Reed and Lafayette streets.

"All in all it will be a very busy year as usual," Watson said.

Councilman Joe Hernandez said prior to the meeting that Watson's extensive history of service to Campbell has been beneficial for everyone on the council.

"I think because she has so much experience it provides a perspective I don't have," he said.

Watson, in 1985, was the first woman to join Campbell's city council. Her service to the city started long before then, however.

In 1963, she helped found the Campbell Historical Museum. In 1968, she was voted Campbell's "Citizen of the Year," an award that had previously been titled "Man of the Year." She was the Civic Improvement Commission's first chairwoman, and in 1978, she was the first female president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Watson wrote the city's first official history book, Campbell, the Orchard City, which was published in 1989. She also launched the effort to remodel the Heritage Theatre.

"There always seemed to be one challenge after another, and I like challenges, so that's why I wanted to stay involved," she said. "I felt there was a need to develop different programs in the city I was interested in."