Tuesday night's swearing-in ceremony for new Manhattan Beach councilmembers - and the departure of two of its longest-serving members - was marked by tearful speeches and gratitude.

"That was one for the books," declared Manhattan Beach Mayor Amy Howorth, after more than 90 minutes of emotional remarks and presentations.

City Council members and other local dignitaries bid farewell to Richard Montgomery and Steve Napolitano, who together represent four decades of service on the council.

Immediately following the departure speeches, the new City Council members Nina Tarnay and Steve Charelian, along with newly re-elected Councilman Joe Franklin, were sworn in and took their new seats on the dais.

In bidding farewell to Montgomery, fellow councilmembers saluted him for his commitment to community service, for his talent at networking, and for his service as mayor during the peak of the pandemic. Montgomery has now completed four terms on City Council, with his last two terms beginning in 2016.

"You build relationships like no one I've ever seen. it's a gift," Howorth told Montgomery. 

Howorth cited Montgomery's "big heart" in recalling how Montgomery and Mira Costa High School Principal Ben Dale led a massive effort to bring supplies down to the Houston area following Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Montgomery was part of a team that drove trucks filled with thousands of pounds of food, clothing, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and more. "This guy doesn't just talk the talk and walk the walk, he drives the truck," added Howorth. 

"He's the yin to my yang," said Napolitano of Montgomery. "I throw my own bricks at some things, he throws bricks at other things. The point is, we share a common vision to get things done. Richard's service as mayor at that time [during the COVID pandemic] was an exemplar to everyone else."

Napolitano continued: "His connections - where he's the networker, and I might be more of the policy wonk, he knew who to call and I knew which rocks to look under, and together we made a great team dealing with a lot of things, keeping businesses afloat and making things happen... He's just someone you really want in your corner at all times. He's been in my corner, and I will forever be in yours, my friend. I couldn't have been happier to serve these last eight years with you."

Montgomery, for his part, used his remarks to thank a variety of individuals from around town for their support and ongoing advice. "You don't get to this seat by yourself," he said.

Napolitano, who ended a record sixth term on City Council, was lauded for having given decades of service to the city. He began his first term in 1992, and at the time was youngest person to be elected to the Manhattan Beach City Council.

"It has been the honor of my life to serve my community, my hometown," said an emotional Napolitano. "Serving all of you has been an honor that never gets old, and I'll continue to serve my community in one way or another."