print Print Article

“Well, I’ve left you without any debt and [with] money in the bank, so let’s see if we can keep it that way.” 
After 48 years on the job, Olive Stephens has decided to retire-from elected office. The 94-year-old was first elected to the city council of Shady Shores, Texas, in 1962, embarking on a nearly five-decade tour of duty at the top levels of government for the neighborhood-turned-suburb of Dallas. In 1972, she was elected mayor, a position she still holds today. Now the 19-term incumbent says she won’t be seeking a 20th and will retire when her term expires. The nonagenarian told KXAS-TV in Dallas that she’ll be watching how the city proceeds without her.