By Rodney Hays

Editor

The Town of Prosper honored outgoing mayor Charles Niswanger with a reception this past weekend.

Niswanger was honored for his 10 plus years of service to Prosper by friends, family and local dignitaries.

About 50 people attended the event, which was held at the Prestonwood Baptist Church Youth Center in downtown. Many of the mayor's family were in attendance.

In a letter of resignation given to council ealier this year, Niswanger said he would not seek re-election in the May mayoral elections, citing health reasons. Niswanger recently moved to East Texas to be closer to family. He said he still plans to serve as the town's mayor until his replacement is elected in May.

Niswanger was born near Waco and spent his childhood in and around the Waco area. Upon reaching enlistment age, he joined the US Navy and served on the USS Buckley from 1956 to 1960. During his Navy tour, he sailed the Pacific and actually saw some action against the Chinese in a skirmish in international waters. Following his discharge, he returned to his boyhood home and married. He and his wife Mary Ann moved to Prosper in 1969 and built their home.

The mayor started his long service to the Town of Prosper when he served as a volunteer firefighter many years ago. He is known for his vision for the town's future, as evidenced by sponsoring the move toward establishing Prosper's own police department. He was the point person in the search for a leader which resulted in selecting McFarlin in May 2001.

Throughout his tenure as a citizen, volunteer and elected officeholder, he has continued to actively press for Prosper's growth and development. His latest accomplishment was in leading the effort to establish the Prosper Dispatch Operation which began full-time service in December 2009.

Ray Smith, Mayor Pro-Tem made a statement at the event on behalf of the Town Council. The Mayor was presented a plaque, a block and gavel, a digital picture frame already loaded with a lot of pictures of Prosper and events. The town also honored Niswanger by naming the new communications/911 dispatch center "The Charles Niswanger Public Safety Communications Center."

Town Manager Mike Land said about Niswanger, "The Mayor, working in cooperation with the various town councils, has accomplished many things that will have a positive long term impact on the community."

The elections are May 8.