Appointed Commissioner Aubrey Vaughan attended his last meeting Monday in that capacity, urging the future board to continue on with a spirit of cooperation.

“The commissioners have to work together,” Vaughan said. “We can’t ever lose that again because the people suffer.”

The remaining board members presented Vaughan with a plaque Monday for his “selfless leadership” to the residents of Island County.

Commissioner Helen Price Johnson gave Vaughan kudos for taking on and completing long- overlooked projects like paving the parking lot at Camano Island’s “blue building.”

“I appreciated your bipartisanship and attitude and willingness to look for solutions,” Price Johnson said. “You have been a very strong advocate for Camano and District 3. You are a kind and caring individual, and I’ve enjoyed this experience.

“I hope you will stay engaged with Island County, and I look forward to working with you in that capacity.”

Commissioner Jill Johnson also thanked Vaughan for facilitating “some healing that needed to be done and some trust that needed to be rebuilt” with Camano residents who may have felt neglected by their previous representation.

Former District 3 commissioner Kelly Emerson quit suddenly in May, leaving the vacancy for which Vaughan was appointed.

“Thank you for being that individual and getting us back on track, Johnson said. “You’ve been a strong advocate for Camano to the point of almost being a pebble in our shoe. Even after the primary, you came back to work … and for that you won my undying respect.

“You set a standard for what a professional commissioner looks like,” Johnson said.

Vaughan admitted that he “moped” for a few days after losing his bid for the primary election in August.

But, he said, he decided he had a choice: “I can either continue to mope … or I can dig in and try to accomplish a few things.”

“I can tell you, sitting here for a few short months, had I not had the experience in the private business world, I would have had a hard time. I would have been lost, really lost. I still was about half lost. But at least I had experience dealing with people, organizations, figures … and that’s been an asset to me.”

Among his accomplishments, Vaughan listed the “blue building” project, assisting in negotiation of a contract with the deputies guild, and the 2015 budget.

Despite his strong support for the county’s law and justice needs, Vaughan said that they “got wrenched” over the budget and had to make some tough decisions.

“I don’t think any of the commissioners got everything they wanted,” Vaughan said. “That’s called ‘compromise’ government.”

Vaughan said he agrees that Camano Island needed someone to come in and help them to feel represented after a “difficult time in this county’s history.”

“This has been one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done in my life,” Vaughan said.

Newly elected District 3 Commissioner Rick Hannold takes office Friday after he is sworn in.