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Show Times Newspaper Wednesday, July 14, 1999 Page 2 ABxynn Si ) GBemitlDeinraaEii Bnnay!? will Gjo mraisssdl I suspect most of the people who have met or interacted with the late Orem Mayor Joe Nelson have their own stories to tell, and I am no exception. excep-tion. I first became aware of Joe Nelson during the campaign for the city elections elec-tions in 1997. He was gracious and forthright in answering questions from yet another reporter tracking him down for information and quotes. It didn't take long to find common ground. Joe Nelson had worked with my father in the Mount Timpanogos Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He always remembered that connection, and after he was elected mayor, frequently took the time to ask me, in his kind and sincere way, how my dad and mother were doing when we would cross paths at city council meeting or some other community event. The new mayor was instantly at ease in the city council environment He always took the time to circulate around the room before the start of the meeting, introducing himself to those in attendance, offering his firm handshake hand-shake to one and all, making eye contact with each person he spoke to, and boosting each individual's, self worth. One of Mayor Nelson's leadership skills was apparent as he conducted the city council meetings. He had a way of letting everyone's viewpoint be heard, but also had the ability to summarize and direct discussion so that time was not wasted. He combined empathy and firmness in just the right mix. As I continued to run into the mayor at community functions, he told me he was building a scrapbook of newspaper clippings and memorabilia he was saving to chronicle his time in office. He expressed amazement at how fast -the book was growing. v Some of the frequent attenders of city council meetings are young Boy Scouts who are working on earning their Citizenship in the Community merit badges. I will never forget the night the mayor had a bit of time to fill before a scheduled public hearing. There were quite a few Scouts in attendance, atten-dance, and he had them all come up to the front of the room. He went down the row, speaking to each individually, quizzing them on their progress in earning the Eagle award, and ultimately extracting a solemn promise from each young man that he would, indeed, earn his Eagle. Mayor Nelson encouraged en-couraged the Scouts to invite him to attend their Eagle Courts of Honor when the time came, and he promised to be there. Another time, Mayor Nelson called a young Little Leaguer up from the audience and skillfully placed the boy in the spotlight, giving him the opportunity op-portunity to demonstrate his batting technique as Nelson pretended to pitch him a ball. In January of 1998, my husband, Lon Bowen, was presented the Walter C Orem Citizen of the Quarter Award for his efforts with historic preservation in the community. My family was able to attend city council meeting with me that night for the presentation. Our then ten-year-old daughter, Rebecca, wanted to go up before the meeting began and introduce herself to the mayor. When she did, he told her what a fine young lady she was, and gave her some cookies to, as he said, "tide her over". The interaction meant a lot to her, and I'm sure she added herself to the long list of people who consider Joe Nelson their special friend. We considered Joe and Marjorie Nelson our friends, too, but I was still surprised this past April, given the mayor's illness, when his wife went out of her way to come to our daughter's wedding reception. Joe was too ill to attend, but asked Mrs. Nelson to come and give our family their best wishes. We were very humbled and touched by the thoughtfulness of this couple. I will always remember the mayor's enthusiasm for what he regarded as good causes. He couldn't wait for the city's "It's OK 2 BE KIND" initiative, a community courtesy campaign, to get started, stating several times in council meetings that he wanted to be the first to wear a button or to put a bumper sticker on his car. He was excited to see the formation of neighborhood neighbor-hood councils, which he believed would improve communication between the city and its citizens. Despite the highly controversial nature of the issue, he unwaveringly supported the city 's efforts to save University Mall. Although his time in office was short, Mayor Joe Nelson's influence was profound. And I still wonder if he will be looking in on those Eagle Scout Courts of Honor true to his word. Aim GveGuDffuD Yeac 1998 Accomplishments for Orem City Citywide street lighting program was initiated " Plans were developed for a new Public Safety building A massive 800 East 800 South road project was completed University Mall revitalization got underway City web site was designed Youth City Council was formed Community and neighborhood councils were formed Blitz 98 was completed Community Service Day was completed Storm water master plan was developed . Entryway beautification master plan was created -New 2 million gallon water storage tank was constructed Aerobic digester covers for odor control were installed at the sewage treatment plant ... Traffic enforcementtraffic school program was developed New 800 MHZ radios were installed for the Police Department Depart-ment . Police laptop computers were installed in patrol cars , ; A community safety learning center wag built at Firestation 3 Mobile Children's Fire Safety House was constructed The library circulated 1,244,106 books and media items ' : Municipal golf course and softball complex were planned Skate park was planned Thirty-eight acres of land were purchased fox soccer fields, school facilities, and low-density residential development Five acres of land were purchased for a city park at 900 North 1200 East Property taxes remained among the lowest in Utah Valley Several new businesses were attracted to the community Utah Valley State College experienced continued growth i Source: 1998 Orem Annual Report - , "The accomplishments listed ... represent long hours of hard work by many individuals dedicated to making Orem a better place to live , In addition, the year represents the bulk of the late Mavnr J Nelson's time m office and his leadership. y - Jennifer Nelson and Renee Quast represent members of The Friends of the Orem Public Library organization in accepting the "Citizen of the Quarter" recognition presented pre-sented by Mayor Joe Nelson. Funeral services (from front page) ished meeting with people, citizens, citi-zens, staff, and government officials. offi-cials. He particularly loved meeting meet-ing with children, and went out of his way to attend school functions func-tions that he was invited to. Once there, he would seek out those who stood back, involving and encouraging them. Reams described his friend, Joe, as "always upbeat, optimistic, optimis-tic, and a cheerleader" for others, oth-ers, who had the knack of making mak-ing friends of his critics. After Nelson was elected mayor, Reams was asked to introduce in-troduce him at a community function. Since he did not know the mayor well at the time, Reams asked Nelson how he would like to be introduced. "Just tell them that I love my wife, and I love children," Nelson replied. Reams said he came to understand Nelson's humility and sincerity in choosing that for an introduction over his full resume re-sume and list of credits and accomplishments. ac-complishments. Mayor Nelson did not decorate his office .with , awards and plaques, but displayed just one1 colorful drawing by Bishop Perry's children, which read:' "It's time. Joe Nelson, Mayor." i Family praise 1 Following a musical selection! by David and Becky Nelson and family, father and husband trib-i utes were given by Shauna Davis, ; LuJean Christensen, and Robert Nelson. The Nelson daughters' and son recalled occasions such as the time their father found a good deal on turkeys and brought home a car full enough for Marjorie to cook tur- key dinners for each zone in the Santa Rosa Mission. They noted . his excellent singing voice, which he used from the age of six, when he would sing duets with his brother. They described the Nelson "Kiss Method" of encouraging encour-aging obedience in the family with an outpouring of love,, respect, re-spect, and kindness, and the "full-Nelson", all-body hug. When their father went to the grocery store for their mother, the inevitable result was "bags and bags of great food," but a bewildered look from Marjorie and the gentle reminder, "Joe, we have a budget." "It was a home where we heard music and laughter... and every BYU game," said LuJean Christensen. After a vocal duet, "Consider the Lilies", performed by Nelson family friends Richard and Melanie Wilkins, Bishop Perry gave a few remarks. He described Nelson as "the classic extrovert" who seemed to gain energy by meeting with people, and who maintained his sense of humor to the end. .'I "What's this?", the mayhad joked with a nurseiwho brought him medication for a stomach problem. "I thought you were bringing me a root beer float!" Bishop Perry's father, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, read a letter of comfort to Marjorie Nelson from the First Presidency, Council of the Twelve, and area presidency which described Nelson as "a valiant servant of God". Elder Perry also shared a message of peace, and encouraged those present to remember Jesus Christ and to "perfect ourselves , in the service we render others." t' :fipipliiB .'W & - f 1 , 4 - ; If mmmmmA Congratulating the Bruins ; In one of his last public appearances ap-pearances before taking ill, Orem Mayor Joe Nelson congratulates con-gratulates both the Mountain View girls and boys basket-ball basket-ball teams on their state championships. (USPS 411-700) , - Published Weekly by Utah Valley Publishing Company 801-225-1340 Fax 80 1-225-1 341 1 538 South State Street, Orem, UT 84058 ; hrfeSd petes tol b crca. n ira raCro-CrT&ratttitJXtrestCrca.irTtica Subscription in advance per year $16.00 Out of State Subscription per year $35.00 ' fer copy $.50 . '"V o y - -v- Mis .... " l r . j . " v s . ', i " bMUaJtJf -- fv -r ift-ipYil ,)Yriw,"1f(llTMiiiiiiii niiii i li'llfj Mayor Nelson uses a little "body language" to make a point about city-wide street lighting, one of the initiatives promoted pro-moted by the leader. Also pictured are Joe Ruffolo (left) and Councilman Mike Thompson. r iimpanogos I nil MAM 1931-1999 The western wind has blown and left a space: A void upon the Timpanogos sky. -A mighty man has left without a trace, Except the tender twinkle In his eye. O such a vibrant one, In love with life! In sixty-seven most-fulfliling years, He blessed his family and precious wife With loving laughter and with souvenirs. With Christian values, always dear to him, He motivated everyone he knew. His education never seemed to dim, For he was always humble, as he grew. The people touched his ever-willing shoulder, Electing him to lead the City, fair. And gave him great support, as he grew older, for ail his hopes and dreams were centered there. The City called him from the retail field To lead through difficult and daunting days. And as our Orem Mayor, he would yield His place to no one with his winning ways. He never could contain his ready grin! His handshake was a gift he must bestow! His frequent friendships were most genuine: This gende man and friend, we knew as "Joel" Joe Nelson was a peaceful man who cared. May we remember, each and every day Throughout his life, he loved a lot, and shared: This City shepherd who has passed our wayl July the Eighth, as flags are flung away, Along with patriotic paradigms, r Re-visited, this Independence Day, The sound of Taps Is heard, as well as chimes. Three flags are raised and lowered to half-mast And wave, beside the Orem City Center, Proclaiming him, whose final days are past, As somber news for those who come to enter. They mark the loss of Orem Chys Mayor, Who prematurely passes, much too soon On wWrVi CK?t0rem Clty CouncU alr On which the black-edged Orem flag Is strewn 9'. THE EPITAPH I Here lies the Mayor, beloved of our Town: ' A MnJ; humor, and a man of peace, oi He cared for people, rather than O nuv h. I- ' . . TV j - mb icii Dcmna increase! Wide was his vision. Gallant were hu : i v-T milra . ftwww -1 T?7 "iuennium a rorcel t S,hlS i"' "SfrS many souls, guldln8 steer the stony course? 3 Hl uraa umllfl. J . . vLtu il , 7 . """"ieB wim ccoudes, We II mUs his winning smUe and friendly nod. . As Cantaln of . ' ww I I - li J 1 i 'myoi-uw y inuyc iii Today, he celebrates hb life with God! POOR |