My View – July 2021

As town reemerges from isolation in the wake of the pandemic, every masked and unmasked person I bump into basically has the same thing to say: “It’s nice to be out and about again…visiting my friends and sharing my life with others!” Indeed, it’s the sharing of experiences that makes life so interesting and the secret of the sauce for an engaged and fulfilling life.

Recently, I was reminded first-hand of how being engaged can have a positive impact on our town when I attended a bridge dedication/naming ceremony at Forest Park. As you’ll read on page 27, the city just named a new foot bridge in honor of Tony Hess, the “father” of the Forest Park and one of the first to spearhead its development starting back a decade ago. After the ceremony, many of us were reminiscing about the days when the city council was debating the formation of the park and the mega-long meetings that often lasted 2-3 hours—just on this one topic. Through it all, one person held steadfast with a vision for a future path—Tony Hess. In Jacksonville, we are fortunate to have an abundance of volunteers, like Tony, who tackle big projects with a steely determination.

When one hikes in Forest Park, one thinks of Tony Hess. When strolling the cemetery grounds, Dirk Siedlecki’s spirit is everywhere! The Beekman House and Beekman Bank come to life and are Jacksonville’s museums, thanks to Carolyn Kingsnorth’s dynamism. On the Woodland Trails, one can’t take a step without being reminded of Larry Smith, Charley Wilson, Phil Gahr and others who made our remarkable trail system a reality. Over at the Community Center, the ongoing efforts to build a better community are evident thanks to Sue Miler and her team, and at Art Presence, Anne Brooke’s artistic energy drips like wet paint on canvas.

We are also the beneficiaries of a richer life thanks to a dedicated city staff (Administrative, Public Works, Fire, Police), and all-volunteer committees, commissions and a City Council led by Mayor Donna Bowen. All of them are working together for the betterment of our citizenry with an emphasis on budgetary constraint and maximization of quality of life. On main street, our merchants, restaurateurs, and service professionals have weathered the storm and remain the soul of the commercial and social life in town.

Join me in saluting and thanking those like Tony Hess who unselfishly serve others for the benefit of our Small Town with Big Atmosphere!