WOODLAND – Two members of the Woodland Board of Commissioners will be stepping down at the end of their current term.

Mayor Pro-Tempore Beth Phillips and the Board’s most veteran Commisioner, Thomasena Boone, did not file to serve another term.

Boone, a seven-term incumbent Commissioner announced earlier this year she would retire from the board at the end of 2005.

&uot;I won’t run again because of my health,&uot; Boone said. &uot;This will be my last term on the Board.&uot;

Boone was originally elected 14 years ago when she became the first person of African-American descent to be elected to the Woodland Board of Commissioners.

The commissioner said she was proud of her service to Woodland and was also proud to be the first African-American to serve.

&uot;I was the first black elected to the Board, male or female,&uot; she said. &uot;We had people run before, but no one ever made it.&uot;

The 75-year-old Boone said she enjoyed her service to the people and that was the reason she had continued to serve into her 70s.

While Boone is leaving after seven terms on the Board, Phillips is not seeking election after serving the town for two terms.

&uot;I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the citizens of the town of Woodland for the support I have been given during my service on the town council,&uot; Phillips said. &uot;It has been an experience that I will not soon forget.

&uot;I now have a much greater appreciation for the individuals who are willing to commit to such service considering all the issues that come before the town for consideration and potential action,&uot; she continued. &uot;Having said that, we as board members spend many hours working together to achieve the best results for the town’s people and community based on the information presented to us.&uot;

Phillips said she was honored to have served on the board of commissioners.

She said, &uot;I consider it a privilege to have worked with past and current board members including the mayor. Again, I would like to thank the citizens for their encouragement and support. I will also continue to support and encourage the remaining board members and mayor and would ask all other citizens to continue1

to do the same.&uot;