New things to come/Councilwoman Buford to retire after 20 years

The next time Marcie Buford steps into Hanford City Council Chambers, she will enter as a councilwoman and leave as a retiree. Buford, 79, officially retires from the council at its regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Just as she steps down from the dais, her successor, Sue Sorensen, will be sworn in to the District B seat that represents an area spanning downtown and central to north Hanford. Buford, the longest-serving member of the current city council, did not seek re-election this year. First elected in 1988, she has continuously served on the top city decision-making body for 20 years. "I just figured it's time," Buford said during a recent interview at her north Hanford home. "I've got other things to do; I'm looking forward to retirement."