Before becoming mayor, Dwight Sutton knew that local government moves slowly.

What he has learned during his four years at the city’s helm is that moving slowly generally leads to better decisions.

“Every issue has more sides than are apparent,” he said. “The fact that the process takes time ensures that the outcome is more likely to be workable.”

Those matters that he believes could have been better handled have been characterized by haste, he said, mentioning the fast-food ordinance and the city’s sign code, both of which have undergone revisions but which still provoke negative comments.

Sutton’s tenure as a one-term city council member and a one-term mayor has spanned virtually all of Bainbridge Island’s existence as an all-island city.

Perhaps the most visible symbol of the city’s maturing came during Sutton’s term as mayor, when the new city hall was built, and he moved into an office on the southwest corner of the upper floor.

Despite the physical changes he has seen, Sutton’s list of memorable accomplishments leans towards the intangibles.

“I’m pleased with the open-space and affordable housing programs,” he said. “I’m pleased with what I see as a better integration of Bainbridge Island into Kitsap County through regional groups.

“And I’m pleased that we established a mode of operation of approachability and fairness. That didn’t begin with me, but I attempted to maintain an organizational culture that did not engender cynicism.”

One of the island’s principal assets, Sutton said, is a reservoir of citizens willing to become involved. During his term, more than 80 citizen committees have been appointed to deal with specific, short-term issues.

“That argues for the vigor of the community’s interest in the island’s character and values,” he said.

But Sutton said the island is changing. The high price of housing has brought what he calls “an influx of affluence” to Bainbridge, changing the demographics.

“There is a stratifying,” he said. “Their value systems will color the community.”

The way to turn that into a strength, Sutton said, is to “bring them in so that they feel the pulse of the community.”

One way to do that, he said, is to put newer residents on the committees that the mayor appoints.

“People are willing to help if you say you have a job for them to do,” he said. “I’ve had very few people say ‘no’ if they are asked.”

Matters that Sutton said remain undone include creating a boatyard on Eagle Harbor to replace the facility lost when Washington State Ferries expanded its maintenance facility.

Sutton also said the island needs to do a better and more comprehensive job of managing its waste streams, from yard waste to sewage effluent.

He also said more needs to be done to ensure the viability of the island’s commercial base.

“We take for granted the nice small-town aura we have,” he said. “But it’s fragile. The merchants don’t feel we are as dedicated as we could be. We need to look at how to maintain that base.”

When Sutton chose not to seek a second term, he said he wanted to spend more time at home, working on his small farm.

And he said that come Wednesday, when Darlene Kordonowy moves into the mayor’s office, home is exactly where he will be.

“I’ll check my watch, and if it’s time to go to work, I’ll have a second cup of coffee,” he said. “Then if it’s not raining, I’ll go out and survey the fence posts that need to be replaced.

“Otherwise, I’ll look at the trim I took down from the house five years ago to repaint, and still haven’t gotten to.”

He will, though, remain active in island open-space issues.

With Kordonowy’s approval, Sutton appointed himself to the committee that will determine how to manage the $8 million in bonds the voters approved in November to purchase open space.

And he will also join the committee trying to place the Wyckoff property into public ownership after cleanup is complete.

“I don’t have a terror of finding myself wondering what to do,” he said. “But I do wonder if I can bring myself to go to city council meetings.”