'Life Moves Fast': Cameron Smyth Reflects on his Career in Emotional Farewell

 

By Santa Clarita Star Staff

 

Cameron Smyth bid an emotional farewell to the Santa Clarita City Council after more than two decades of public service, receiving heartfelt tributes from community leaders and organizations. The meeting also saw the swearing-in of Patsy Ayala, who narrowly won the District 1 race over Bryce Jepsen, marking a new chapter for the council.

 

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Longtime Santa Clarita City Councilmember Cameron Smyth said an emotional farewell Tuesday night during his final council meeting, capping a career in public service that spanned more than two decades. Smyth was honored with tributes and certificates of appreciation from community organizations, including the Los Angeles County Sanitation District, the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees, and the William S. Hart High School District.

 

Outgoing Republican State Senator Scott Wilk delivered a heartfelt tribute, praising Smyth’s legacy and hinting at his own continued presence in the community. Wilk said he would still be working with Smyth in the future, leaving some to wonder about his post-Senate plans. Wilk had previously said that was leaving the state after leaving the State Senate due to term limits.

 

Mayor Pro Temp Laurene Weste presented Smyth with a resolution from the Los Angeles County Sanitation District, highlighting his efforts on critical water and sanitation projects. “Cameron worked diligently for years on nationally significant issues, like resolving the chloride levels in the Santa Clara River to meet federal and state standards,” Weste said. “He never gave up.”

 

Edel Alonso, president of the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees, also commended Smyth for his unwavering support of the college. “I hereby recognize and thank Mr. Cameron Smyth for his dedicated leadership and his outstanding example of public service to the people of Santa Clarita Valley. And I wish him well as he transitions through a new phase of life and finds something meaningful to occupy his time on two Tuesday evenings every month.’ So congratulations and thank you for your service to the community and for your support of our college.” Alonso said.

 

Smyth, a Santa Clarita native and lifelong member of the Republican Party, served on the City Council from 2000 to 2006 before representing the area in the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2012. He returned to the council in 2016 after reaching term limits in the Assembly.

 

Reflecting on his career, Smyth became emotional as he addressed the audience one last time. Quoting Ferris Bueller, he said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Smyth noted how his life has changed since his first council term in his 20s, recalling that he had just gotten married and had no children.

 

“And that was very true, very wise words from good old Ferris,” Smyth said, holding back tears. “And it's funny though, I think about when I first sat in this chair, see, I read this a bunch of times to try to get through it, so we'll see. But you know, I was in my 20s. I'd only been married less than a year. I didn't have any kids. Clearly I had a different voice. If you watch that video, I certainly sounded a lot different. But now, I'm in my 50s. I spent my 30th, 40th, and 50th birthday in elected office. Been married 25 years, three kids, two of them are adults. It goes quick. Again, I couldn't be more thankful for them and everyone who have helped made me through this journey because as Jason mentioned and everyone has, Senator Wilk mentioned it, we all chose this path, but our families don't and they are. You know, they're impacted too. And, you know, so again, I couldn't be more thankful. know, Lorene mentioned it as well.”

 

The evening ended with the swearing-in of newly elected councilmember Patsy Ayala, a businesswoman who narrowly defeated community leader Bryce Jepsen in November's District 1 race. Ayala, a former staffer for State Senator Scott Wilk, begins her term as the council’s newest member.

Smyth’s departure marks the end of an era for Santa Clarita, as residents and colleagues alike praised his dedication to the city. “I couldn’t be more thankful for the people who helped me on this journey,” he said. “It’s been an honor to serve.”