Longtime alderman Charlie Metzger was honored for 40 years of service on the Waterloo City Council as he received gifts and high praise for his dedication to the betterment of the city during his final meeting on Monday night.

A standing-room-only crowd gathered in the council chambers to wish Metzger a happy retirement. It was an emotional night, with Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith joining aldermen and city officials in taking time to thank Metzger for his leadership, mentoring, stories and wisdom.

“The people of Waterloo should be very happy because they have some great people working for them,” Metzger said.

Metzger, who for many years served as chairman of the city’s electrical system, said he is very proud of the city’s power plant. He retired 20 years ago from Union Electric.

“I think I’m going to enjoy my time off but I don’t really know how because I haven’t had much time off in all my years,” he said.

Metzger grew up east of Waterloo on Martini Road and had two ambitions as a young man: to be a fireman and serve as a Marine. He accomplished both, volunteering for 27 years with the Waterloo Fire Department and also serving in the Korean War.

Alderman Jim Hopkins shared a story about how Metzger got involved with city politics 40-plus years ago. He was having a problem with his sewer service, Hopkins said of Metzger, and when he went to find answers from city officials he wasn’t satisfied with their answers.  This led him to attend council meetings and later run for alderman.

Metzger’s alderman nameplate was retired, and new alderman Stan Darter, who ran unopposed and has been a frequent attendee of council meeting over the years, shook hands with Metzger to signify a changing of the guard.

“It is truly an honor to follow in your footsteps,” Darter said to Metzger.

A reception was held on the third floor of City Hall following Monday’s council meeting.

In addition to Darter, the following re-elected city officials were sworn in to new terms in office: Mayor Smith, City Clerk Barb Pace, Hopkins, aldermen Clyde Heller and Steve Notheisen, and City Treasurer Brad Papenberg.