Fond Farewell for Retiring Carole Dillon-Knutson

Twenty years of public service is coming to a close, so friends and family gathered in a tribute to Carole-Dillon Knutson last week as the Novato City Council member enters her final few weeks as an elected official.

“It was truly heartwarming,” Dillon-Knutson said on Monday. “It was very emotional. It was so touching to see people who I’d worked with for so many years along with family and staff. There were so many people who have been important to my success on the City Council.”

Three congratulatory cakes were sliced up in a two-hour event Oct. 20 at organized by the city of Novato and Dillon-Knutson’s family. More than 200 people showed to pay tribute to Dillon-Knutson, that she would not seek re-election on Nov. 8.

Dillon-Knutson, a Novato City Council member for the past 16 years, received framed proclamations from the Sen. Mark Leno and Assemblyman Jared Huffman, the Transportation Authority of Marin board, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit board, the Marin County Board of Supervisors and the Novato City Council. Among the gifts she received were the key to the city, a bouquet from the TAM board and art lessons from the Museum of Contemporary Art, a consortium that Dillon-Knutson lobbied to create at the former Hamilton Air Force Base.

“MOCA’s board gave me a membership, so I’m all set,” she said with a smile.

Dillon-Knutson said she listened intently to the heart-felt comments from elected officials, family and friends. Larry Dito, the retired parks and rec director in Novato, told a story about Dillon-Knutson taking him on tours of other towns when she was first elected.

“I showed him what I wanted for Novato, saying, ‘I want one of those, one of those and one of those,’” Dillon-Knutson said. “We actually got some of them — the gymnastics center, the (renovated) pool, enhanced programs at the senior center, some hiking trails …”

Dillon-Knutson said she plans to spend more time with her grandchildren and be as active as possible while she’s still in good health. Her last meeting will be in early December when freshly elected council members are sworn in.

“When you run for office, you meet and get to know so many people who are warm, generous and thoughtful in their support,” she said. “They care about the city, they care about what happens here and I was so grateful that they were so supportive of me.”

For two Q&A features about Dillon-Knutson’s reflections on life as an elected official and her retirement plans, click and .