On Thursday afternoon, Liz Gilland, the now former Chairman of the Horry County Council, lead the swearing-in ceremony for new and returning Horry County Council members as they took their oath of office.

It was Gilland's last time leading the council as the chairman. After 16 years in office, she decided not to seek re-election this year.

In 16 years of doing anything, one is bound to accumulate some good times and some not so good times. Gilland told NewsChannel 15 she knows which ones she'll take with her.

How do you sum up 16 years of public service in the political arena?

"Well, you don't do it in a few words," joked Gilland.

Perhaps you sum it up by looking at what was done.

"I think I brought a stability to council. We went from bickering on camera to looking somewhat professional," recalled Gilland. "We eliminated executive sessions, almost entirely - I just don't believe in government behind closed doors."

Gilland continued, "I brought back to the county the NACO drug discount card - pick it up for free, turn it in to the store and get a discount on your drugs, on your prescription drugs."

Gilland also points to how she helped make the county more handicap friendly.

In 16 years on council, Gilland served eight as chairman, which she admits, is a job that is difficult to prepare for.

"I felt a mantle of responsibility for everyone in this county drop on my shoulders with a tremendous weight," said Gilland.

During her time, she saw 26 other council members come and go. She also saw her share of controversy come and go, from an ethics fine, to highly publicized speeding tickets, to a self-admitted verbal gaffe on women in politics.

"Some of the things were sheer Horry County dirty politics, some of the things were small and were blown up big by people who wanted to blow them up big, some of the things I shot myself in my foot," admitted Gilland.

But as she walks away, she says the wounds will stay behind.

"What I will take away is the good stuff, the good memories, the positives, the good friendships."

So, again, how do you sum up 16 years of political life, of public service?

Gilland said, "you can sum it up this way, I'm leaving it better than I found it. I'm leaving county government better than I found it."

What's next for Gilland? She says, for the long term, she's not quite sure. For the short term, she said, she's taking a vacation.