It was standing room only at Tombstone’s City Council meeting on March 20 as hundreds of spectators gathered for the changing of the guard.

Jack Henderson made his final remarks as mayor before leaving arm in arm with his wife to a standing ovation.

“People of Tombstone, I guess I let some of you down, and for that I’m sorry,” Henderson said. “Many of the difficult decisions however I would still stand by, even with the consequences.”

More than 500 people voted in the recall election, which was held on March 13.

“I want to thank Esther, my love, my friend, my significant other,” Henderson said. “She told me two things when I decided to run for mayor. You can ask her what the first one was but the second one was ‘There will be a recall.’”

The audience laughed, though several members laughed between sobs.

“We voted with pretty large numbers and I congratulate you on this, but remember to stay involved in your city and its government,” Henderson said. “To paraphrase an old saying: All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men not to act. So both sides need to back Steve (Schmidt). Let’s move this town forward. You know what I was trying to do for the town, push it. We all voted for Steve for a reason, push it. Let’s move this city forward.”

Several attendees spoke about Henderson during the call to public address.

“It’s with a great deal of sorrow that we see Jack (Henderson) step down and we can only hope Steve (Schmidt) will carry on the things that Jack initiated and are not yet completed,” said Susan Sinsley, a Tombstone resident. “The obvious is the precious water line and mountains and wells. Thank you, Jack, for standing up for our rights and for not allowing anyone else to steal this valuable asset from us. We’re very sad to lose you.”

Other residents said they believed Henderson losing the recall election was appalling because he made the right calls after the pipeline was broken.

“In all the years I’ve lived here, I cannot recall a mayor who has faced so many problems, issues, contracts and emergencies in so few months and who has worked so tirelessly to fix these issues,” said Kathy Paonessa, a Tombstone business owner for 40 years. “Your administration is a progressive one. In your heart you did what you thought was best for the town.”

Steve Schmidt was sworn in as mayor, after winning the recall election by about 50 votes, and took over the meeting’s proceedings.

For the past six years Schmidt has been on Planning and Zoning committee, and has served two terms as a city council member.

“I think my most immediate plan is to make sure that public works are taken care of,” Schmidt said. “I need to find out what’s going on with the springs. The arsenic levels in the wells will remain the same but we need to find a way to filter the water.”

Schmidt has refused to comment on an investigation regarding potential financial wrongdoings at the Chamber of Commerce because he said he has not looked at it and doesn’t have enough information to make a comment.

Several people stayed after the meeting to congratulate Schmidt.

“I think it’s wonderful and he’ll do a very good job,” said Mary Hoover, a Tombstone resident.

Not everyone who attended was happy about the change however.

“That recall election cost the town $3,000, I mean why not wait the eight months he had left?” said John Nolton, Tombstone resident. “I have nothing good to say about him. “