Last Thursday's commission meeting started and ended with an almost tearful tribute to a commissioner who is leaving.

After eight years, the limit for county elected positions, Bill Sapien attended his last meeting as a commissioner.

Before he could leave, his fellow board members had a few words for him. Words often used were "teacher" and "mentor." "It has been an honor for me to work with you the last six years," commissioner Jack Thomas said, his normally boisterous voice faltering, cracking slightly. "Your district has been well served. I think all of Sandoval County has been well served."

Commissioner Dave Bency highlighted Sapien's passion for water projects and for county employees - the latter of which County Manager Debbie Hays also echoed - while commissioner Don Leonard focused on his personality.

"You're a philosopher and a historian-plus," Leonard said.

There was also thanks.

"I've been very successful in my district thanks to you," commissioner Josh Madalena told Sapien.

And then it was Sapien's turn.

"If it hasn't been said or done, it's probably too late," Sapien said. "It was a fun time. The reason it went so fast, the eight years, is because it was a good time, a fun time working with you all."

At the end of the meeting, there was jockeying for the last word on Sapien. Bob Wessely of Placitas tried to be last during public comment, focusing on Sapien's efforts to improve the county's water situation.

"Bill, you done good," he concluded.

But Thomas had one more thing to say.

"We certainly could have done a lot worse, but we couldn't do any better," he told Sapien.

Fittingly, the last item on the agenda was a resolution to complete the county's Vietnam monument, a project that has come to epitomize Sapien's efforts for the past eight years.

"I think it was really appropriate," Sapien said of the order of items. "I really enjoyed working on that project."

Now departed from the commission bench, Sapien has no less busy a slate. He said he must again attend to his real estate business, but added that he will be living in Chihuahua, Mexico, for three months each year to do research for his lecture series on the Mexican Revolution.

And there's one more thing.

"One of the big things is the 'honey-do' list," he said. "I have to catch up."

Sapien would not say if he would return to the council chambers, saying only, "I hope so."

The morning after the meeting, Sapien was officially replaced by newly elected commissioner Orlando Lucero when he was sworn into office.