Heimsath’s curtain call

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority welcomed its newest board member on Wednesday morning. But before new Travis County appointee John Langmore took his oath of office, CTRMA board Chair Ray Wilkerson showered his predecessor, Charles Heimsath, with praise and more than a handful of souvenirs. “It’s tough to say goodbye to a board member, especially when you’ve worked so close together,” Wilkerson said before handing Heimsath a framed proclamation honoring his service, a framed portrait of the board at the MoPac Improvement Project’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a state flag that had flown over the Capitol (courtesy of state Rep. Celia Israel). “Wow, awesome,” Heimsath, who had served on the board since 2011, said with some gravity as he was handed the flag. Before taking one last group photo with the board and Executive Director Mike Heiligenstein, Heimsath remarked, “I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished. It hasn’t been without controversy, but we stayed true to our course and have delivered exceptional roadways throughout central Texas, and I’m really proud of that.”