A Few Minutes with the Mayor – May 2015

At the risk of sounding like a disgruntled stage actor upset with his Wednesday afternoon matinee audience, I feel the need to share my thoughts about citizen attendance at our City Council meetings. Where, oh where are most of you? My one desire is to see more of you come watch the “show” at Old City Hall on City Council meeting days. Not only will you be participating in your local government decision-making, but you might even have some fun. The citizens who attended the meeting on April 7th certainly did… an extraordinary evening wherein the City honored two extraordinary people—Clara Wendt and Larry Smith.

Clara was honored for a lifetime of service to Jacksonville. The statement honoring Clara read in-part, “If anyone deserved the title of Mrs. Jacksonville, tonight’s honoree has certainly earned that distinction. Clara Wendt has devoted the best part of her life to the City. She was Mayor from 1975 through 1978. She has served on a variety of City boards, has attended more City Council meetings than anyone on-record and has seen many a mayor and councilor come and go while she remained to insure that each new City Council understood the citizens’ viewpoint on issues brought before them. Her attendance represents half-century of devotion and concern over City matters.

“In conclusion, Clara Wendt is indeed a remarkable citizen and we are especially pleased to acknowledge her outstanding lifetime of service to Jacksonville.”

Linda and Larry Smith with Mayor Paul Becker

Linda and Larry Smith with Mayor Paul Becker

Larry Smith was honored with a Proclamation in Recognition of his 25 years of Advocacy for Jacksonville’s Historic, Cultural and Natural Heritage. The Proclamation read in part, “Larry Smith has been for 25 years a Founding Board Member, President, and Vice president of the Jacksonville Woodlands Association, and now serves as Association’s Executive Director.

“Larry’s tireless energy and dedication to the protection and preservation of Jacksonville’s cultural and natural heritage culminated in the establishment of the Jacksonville Woodlands Historic Natural Park and Trail System in 1999, protecting 255 acres of woodlands habitat interconnected by 16 miles of hiking trails.

“Larry’s leadership resulted in the historic Rich Gulch Mining District being listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Sarah Zigler Interpretive Trail listed as a National Recreational Trail.”

The Proclamation concluded with, “Larry is recognized as the Jacksonville Woodlands ambassador introducing the historic and natural features to groups of every character and size.”

Never were two people more deserving for the recognition accorded them and were rewarded by the audience, a packed house, with applause equivalent to an opening night of a hit play on Broadway.

This now brings me to my closing point… one about history. I, and each one of you, live in one of the finest examples of an historic town existing in our nation. I’ve heard many of you repeatedly express your love for Jacksonville. With some of you it has gone even beyond love. It’s devotion! Devotion shown daily by the many volunteers who make it possible for this city to operate! Devotion shown by citizens who come out to attend our City Council meetings. (Again, I do wish more of you would stop in and check us out.) And, devotion shown by those of you who support our merchants! But there is another devotion I am asking you to show. We need… we truly need… citizens to support our Historic Preservation Fund. This is the money used for all sorts of historic building maintenance and preservation. This is money left by, or given by, citizens to the fund that is used just for this purpose. It is vital in maintaining our City’s historic profile… the very thing you love about Jacksonville.

Accordingly, I am asking that you seriously consider leaving some part of your estate, small or large, in your will or trust, to the Historic Preservation Fund whic h is managed by HARC. Whatever you leave may NOT be used for any other purpose and will be your legacy to the future of Jacksonville. Call or walk in and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.