It was the culmination of a busy election season, an evening where city council members basked in their accomplishments and talked about their achievements of the past and their hopes for the future.

Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn was on hand to administer the oath of office. The choices had been unanimously approved by the Saratoga City Council.

"It is a great privilege for me. Not only is Saratoga my home town, I also get to swear in two of my old friends," said Cohn before swearing in both King and Kline.

King thanked her family for all the help and encouragement she had received during her time as a council member. "My husband is in Japan but my ex-husband is here," she said.

King said that her life has altered course dramatically in the last two years after one of her sons had to undergo a bone marrow transplant. "We have discovered the path of giving back to the community."

King also thanked the local community for its support. "I receive advice from the community all the time," she said, "even when I'm running in the morning."

She said that before becoming part of the city government, she used to think that only the private sector employed talented people. But working with the city staff has been a revelation for her.

"I will strive to build unity among diverse groups," she said.

King also talked about the failure of the utility tax measure and how the city might have to dip into its strategic savings in the near future. She compared the city's current situation to her own family where they had to dip into funds saved for college education to buy four sets of braces for her son.

King said that she was going to follow the advice that former Councilman Evan Baker had once given her--"Follow your head and heart and it will never let you down." King used the Chinese phrase "wen chi" to describe the situation that the city is currently facing. "It is a dangerous time, but it is also a time for opportunity," she said.

Newly anointed Vice Mayor Kline thanked his wife and his two sons for their support. "I believe this is a very exciting time for the city of Saratoga," he said.

Kline said that he had always believed in a small and lean government. "I believe that money should be in people's pockets and not with the government," he said. "As someone said before, challenges brings new opportunities."

Both King and Kline were elected to the city council in 2002. Kline has previously served as a planning commissioner in the city of Santa Clara.

Reelected Councilwoman Ann Waltonsmith and newcomer Aileen Kao were sworn in as council members before the mayor and vice mayor.

Kao is the only new member of the city council. "The Saratoga News had said that I would bring a fresh and new voice to the city council," she said. Kao said that she would make an effort to serve everyone and make fresh voices heard. "I feel humbled and honored."

Outgoing Mayor Ann Waltonsmith said that she was looking forward to another four years on the council.

"Running a city is not rocket science," she said. In a farewell speech earlier, she had recounted her achievements as mayor and as a council member. Waltonsmith said that she was proud that the long festering West Valley stadium issue was solved during her tenure as mayor. She thanked her husband, and the citizens of Saratoga for their support.

"It is time to face reality and do less with less," she said.