Alex Maskey's ground-breaking year as Belfast's first citizen will reach a conclusion later today. It may well end, as it started, with a degree of acrimony within the council chamber, but only the most churlish of observers would dispute the impact made by the city's first Sinn Féin lord mayor.
Apart from Mr Maskey's personal efforts on a range of fronts, there is a wider political significance to his deeds over the last 12 months.
The lord mayor has demonstrated that Sinn Féin elected representatives are fully capable of working positively on behalf of people from all sections of the community.
Of course, some other republicans still seem determined to confirm the most negative of stereotypes through ill-judged and counter-productive actions.
The disruption of a Policing Partnership meeting in Omagh and the threat issued to the DUP's Gregory Campbell in Derry were particularly alarming recent incidents in this regard.
Mr Maskey, in stark contrast, has approached his responsibilities with imagination, dignity and considerable determination since he accepted the mayoral chain.
His decision to lay a wreath at the Belfast Cenotaph was the most publicised event of his period as lord mayor and forced many to review their opinions of him.
It was one of the most significant gestures of reconciliation witnessed in Northern Ireland over recent years, and in many ways epitomised the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr Maskey also made a notable contribution on issues ranging from tourism to car crime both publicly and on occasions away from the spotlight.
Although a number of unionists privately acknowledged Mr Maskey's achievements, it was disappointing that none were prepared to act as deputy lord mayor.
Similar attitudes were displayed when, during the distinguished term served by Alban Maginness of the SDLP as Belfast's first nationalist lord mayor, not a single unionist councillor was prepared to attend his installation dinner in 1997.
It was also unfortunate to hear some unionists express strident views on Mr Maskey's previous record but simultaneously excuse inappropriate comments made in the past by the DUP candidate to succeed him, Robin Newton, as belonging to a different era.
The next first citizen – and Mr Newton does not deserve to be excluded from consideration – should preferably come from the unionist benches, as there are enormous benefits in rotating the post between the main city hall parties.
Mr Maskey may have had to face a challenging period, but his performance has altered many perceptions of both the lord mayor and his party.
