New Manhattan Beach City Council members Amy Howorth and David Lesser were sworn in on Tuesday night, as the council said its farewells to departing members Hildy Stern and Suzanne Hadley.

Howorth and Lesser, who are both returning to City Council after previous terms of service, pledged their dedication to serving the community.

"Thank you for your faith and your confidence in me," said Howorth after taking the oath. "I do not take it lightly and I will work hard every day to live up to it."

Howorth said that she was "newly energized" and "so excited" to return to the position. She added: "I have been reflecting on the importance of bringing light into this world, especially in the dark of winter. It's not always easy to bring the light or find the light. But I will always work hard to find the light and to share that light with all of you. And I thank you all for the opportunity."

Lesser said that he was "under no illusion" about current divisiveness in the community. 

"What I promise this community is this: Like every other council member here, I represent the entire community, whether you voted for me or not, whether I agree with your opinion or not, I care what you have to say," said Lesser. "I value your opinion. I want to hear your opinion. While we may not always agree, my first instinct is to see where we can find collaboration. What I would ask in return is that for all of us to be mindful of the divisive times in which we live and to think about how we can help, particularly in our community which has so many gifts. How can we help make this the community that we all want to live in?"

Outgoing council members Hadley and Stern were both recognized and commended for their service. 

Mayor Steve Napolitano thanked Hadley for her commitment to, among other issues, fiscal responsibility, homelessness, public safety, outdoor dining, and honoring and promoting young entrepreneurs and youth-owned local businesses.

"Suzanne, you like the term 'iron sharpens iron' and you certainly sharpened this council and this community and the staff in to do their best for this city," said Napolitano. "You were steadfast, you maintained your core values at all times. You challenged when things needed to be challenged and you spoke up when you felt you needed to speak up...The fact is just that you put so much into this and we appreciate all you did."

As for Stern, Napolitano quipped, "I have been trying to make Hildy mad for the last four
years and it just can't - it doesn't happen. She is the picture of grace and poise as everyone said, and it's true."

Napolitano continued, "You were a champion of the MB vs Hate program, United Against Hate Week and the project that's ongoing...You supported small business, public safety, fiscal responsibility, addressing homelessness, environmental sustainability, you've been a big champion of the environment. And of course as we said, kindness. And you led with kindness. You led with your heart. And you certainly responded to people in the same way."

Hadley and Stern both had a chance to say sentimental farewells as they left the dais.

"Those of you know me best know I love books and I love to read. And all great literature has plot twists," said Hadley. "So for me 2022, served up several big plot twists including falling down the stairs and of course this election. Hairpin turns make life interesting and I'm going to keep reading my book of life to see what lies ahead. This chapter has been a very special one, so thank you to my colleagues for the fun, the laughs, and the accomplishments."

Stern said that she wanted to reject the notion that serving on City Council was a "thankless" job. "I actually think that this is such a thankful job," she said. "I've had so many conversations with people on our streets, in our grocery stores. So many of you have called me,  asked me to coffee or to dinner or e-mailed me. We've had so many enriching conversations and I appreciate
every one of those interactions...Every time somebody said thank you, every time I got a hug and an appreciation, every time I got a warm greeting, at any event and any time we were out in the city, and every time somebody passed me and even just said thank you for your service, I was so grateful for all those times that somebody -- that any of you would actually recognize and thank us. So this isn't a thankless job. This is such rewarding job. And I'm so grateful for having this opportunity to have this life-changing job at this time in my life."