San Mateo bids farewell to beloved city clerk

“I had a great opportunity to work for somebody who saw something in me I never saw in myself,” Olds said. “So that has become my mission in life, to give other people the opportunity to do something like this, to have them excel and grow and spread their wings, because that gift was given to me.”

Early this month, it was announced that Martin McTaggart, who has worked for the city since 2022 and previously worked for the San Mateo County Registration and Elections Division, would be promoted from deputy city clerk to city clerk. Olds said she feels confident in McTaggart and the team she is leaving in charge.

“I’ve learned you do the best you can for as long as you can, and then there’s a next wave of professionals coming forward, and you step out of the way and when you see what they’re doing, you say, ‘It’s time for me to step aside and let them soar,’” she said.

Councilmembers also took turns expressing their gratitude for Olds, noting her positive attitude and welcoming but firm nature.

“You’ve always been one of the most compassionate people I’ve ever met. I’ve known you to be so friendly and so open and so kind to so many people,” Deputy Mayor Rob Newsom said. “And then, really, it wasn’t until this year, when I was on this side of the dais, that I realized that behind that is also a steel will and iron lady backbone.”

But it wasn’t just elected officials who noticed Olds’ impact on the city, as several San Mateo residents, including Michael Weinhauer, also thanked her for her contributions.

“Patrice, you are the very definition of the ideal of a public servant,” Weinhauer said during the meeting. “You well and truly served the public, whomever that was, never expecting recognition, praise or thanks even though you’ve surely deserved more than you’ve gotten of all of those.”