Neither Baker nor Mehaffey ran for reelection, but both agreed that serving on the council for even one term was worthwhile.

In fact, Baker, 67, leaves office with his faith intact that local government is best. "Municipal government is the best form of government. The results can be most measurable, most responsive to people, and it's instant feedback. It's up close and personal," he said.

When Baker and Mehaffey ran for office four years ago, they campaigned under one slate and promised to work on resolving the Saratoga Creek and West Valley College lawsuits, to improve parks and to create a friendlier city government. Both men say they are proud to have addressed these issues during their terms. Both said that what they will miss most when they leave office is the opportunity to be so in tune with issues facing the city.

Meanwhile, those who have worked with Mehaffey and Baker say their presence on the council will be missed as well.

"John was coming from a different perspective sometimes, and I respected that. It was nice to have somebody make sure we looked at things from every different angle," reflects Mayor Nick Streit, who will be sworn in Dec. 10 for his second term.

As for Baker, Streit called the vice mayor a "straight shooter" who doesn't mince words. It was unfortunate that Baker did not run for reelection, Streit said, because his colleague would have been a natural choice as the next mayor.

Councilwoman Ann Waltonsmith also voiced respect and admiration for Baker.

"Evan covered his niceness with this crankiness sometimes, and I loved it because he would say what needed to be said while the rest of us were looking for nice words," she said. "I will miss his being very real and very blunt. Evan was Evan."

But the rewards of serving on the council notwithstanding, both men have set their sights on life beyond the council seat.

Baker, a retired marketing and planning executive who has lived in Saratoga 25 years, said he might do some travelling, though he has no definitive plans for the future. He is looking forward, however, to more evenings with his wife. As a councilman, he generally had more than three meetings a week, almost all of which took place in the evening, he said, thus preventing him from having dinner with his wife.

For Mehaffey, who owned a computer consulting company in the Village and now works for a start-up business, the switch to the start-up company after his first year on the council meant longer workdays. Since then, he has been juggling both jobs by working an average of 80 hours per week.

"If I had the perfect world, I would be on the city council while not working on a start-up company," he said when asked what he would do differently about his term in office. Mehaffey, 46, admits that he did not become politically active with issues on the regional or statewide level because his other job also demanded his time.

Though Mehaffey said he will miss being so connected with city issues, the 15-year Saratoga resident plans to remain active by working with the new council and speaking at public meetings if an issue concerns him.

To new council members King and Kline, Mehaffey left parting words on being a decision-maker--advice given to him by a friend: "You can't take it all to heart. In the long run, you're bound to disappoint somebody ... make your decision from the heart."

The council reorganization will take place Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. At this time, outgoing council members will have a chance to speak before the new council is sworn in and the new mayor and vice mayor are appointed.