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Show Times Newspaper Wednesday, July 14, 1999 Page 3 CfcEi UoDO?;GiiggGEcz:33 In . ., . . fj ..... r; , ... vi k4wM w r; . u - - r.x ; Mayor Joe Nelson was a strong supporter of the ProvoOrem Chamber of Commerce and , was often present at ribbon cuttings for business Grand Openings. Councilman remembers mayor who became like family by Reva Bowen City Editor Orem City Councilman David Palfreyman remembers the first time he met Joe Nelson. De Lance Squire, former Orem mayor, introduced in-troduced the two at a Provo Orem Chamber of Commerce function. Nelson was in the race for Orem mayor. "I want you to know," Nelson told Palfreyman, "that win or lose, I'm going to be involved." "Right then," Palfreyman said in an interview this week prior to' Mayor Joe Nelson's funeral, "I knew he was taking the right approach. I was impressed that he was planning on being involved in-volved in public service whether or not he won the election." Later, at a Rotary Club luncheon, lun-cheon, Palfreyman was im-, im-, pressed again when Nelson complimented his opponent, in-' cumbent mayor Stella Welsh, on her years of service to the com- munity. In the councilman's opinion, Nelson ran a "clean" and "non-confrontational" campaign cam-paign that was "refreshing" and "showed a lot of class." At a time when most people would be looking forward to their retirement time, Nelson was willing will-ing to give back to the citizens of Orem by serving them as mayor, Palfreyman said. Nelson and Palfreyman soon became fast friends, the councilman council-man said. At the January 1998 swearing in ceremony for the new mayor and three new . councilmembers, Nelson came up to Palfreyman, shook his hand, and told him that he was really looking forward to Berving with him the next four years. Palfreyman reminded Nelson that his term as councilman would be up in two years. "I've checked you out," Nelson said, implying that he believed Palfreyman would be in office longer. He asked his colleague to serve as mayor pro tern for the first six months of his term. "From that day on, we became very, very close," Palfreyman" said. ; ' A recent review of his day planner plan-ner revealed to Palfreyman that he met one-on-one with Nelson pretty much every week until December of 1998. The meetings would be for lunch, to talk informally infor-mally about city business, or to chat about family matters. - "Around him, you knew you could open up," Palfreyman said of Nelson. "He was a real confidant. confi-dant. It was amazing how close we got He told me to call him at any hour of the day or night, if I needed to." The friendship proved to be a real boon for Palfreyman as he . soon faced the most stressful incident in-cident of his life . a confrontation confronta-tion with an armed robber at the bank . in which Palfreyman works. The criminal stuck a gun in Palfreyman 's chest during the bank robbery. Adding to the strain, the incident took place the day before a pressure-packed April 1998 council vote on whether or not the vcity should step in to assist University Mall and help maintain its viability. One of the first calls Palfreyman received after word of the robbery got out was from Nelson. "I thought you would want to hear from a friend," the mayor said when his call was put through. After Palfreyman finished fin-ished meeting with law enforcement enforce-ment officials, he got back on the phone with Nelson, and released some of his pent-up emotions. "That was the most difficult day of my life bar none," Palfreyman said. "Joe was the first one, besides my wife, that I was really able to talk to. He had a phenomenal ability to get people to open up." ' Nelson helped Palfreyman put the robbery incident in perspective. perspec-tive. The most important fact was that no one was killed or injured. "You were supposed to be there," Nelson told his friend as he tried to cope with the agonizing aftermath. after-math. Nelson arranged for police to patrol near the Palfreyman's home until the situation was resolved, re-solved, an action that was tre-r tre-r mendously comforting to the fam- ily- .. , ' As time went . on, the Palfreymans and Nelsons became like family, with their wives also striking up an instant friendship. . Denise Palfreyman, like Mayor Nelson, is a singer, performing with a group called The Cadillacs. Nelson became a great fan and promoter. Marjorie and Joe Nelson opened up their home to the city council members and executive staff at a holiday party held last December. It was a memorable event, Palfreyman recalled, as ' the mayor again demonstrated his ability to bring the different, and sometimes conflicting, council coun-cil viewpoints together, this time in a social setting. Just as he had been a calming influence on Palfreyman in his time of crisis, the mayor was a calming influence on the council. coun-cil. "He wanted what was best for the city. That's why he was such a great leader. He didn't allow us to promote ourselves, or our own agendas. He laid out the facts for us, told us to forget our own philosophies and to do what's right for the city," the councilman said. In March, just before the mayor '8 initial hospitalization, he and Palfreyman and another person went to lunch. A pale and perspiring Nelson was clearly in ' pain with his back, but he paid special attention to the third person per-son at the luncheon, and "made him feel like a million bucks," Palfreyman said. '. When the severity of Nelson's illness became apparent, he was concerned for others particularly particu-larly Marjorie and not for himself. him-self. . v "You've got to promise to keep me up to date and informed," Nelson said when Palfreyman insisted that he not resign his position. After a city council work session ses-sion July 6, Palfreyman and fellow fel-low councilmembera Steve Heinz , and Bill Peperone went to visit the ailing Nelson.; The next day, Palfreyman and Peperone visited again this time to say good-bye. good-bye. Nelson passed away Jury 8. "I think he knew we were there," Palfreyman said, remembering remem-bering the squeeze Nelson gave his hand after he thanked the mayor for all he had done. "I didn't have an older brother, but in the time I've gotten to know him, he's become mine," Palfreyman declared. "I don't know how we will fill, his shoes." Out of respect to Mayor Nelson, the council did not take any action on filling the position until after the funeral July 12. The matter was expected to be taken up in the July 13 council meeting. The vacancy will be filled by a city council appointment. Books, like proverbs, receive their chief value from the stamp and esteem of ages through which they have passed. Sir William Temple As an integral part of the Grand Openmgeeremo&iee for the 1BS9 Utah Valley parade of Homes, the Utah jf oukj xwam ouuuras oaeoaauun, wongwiui energy natea aomes oi utan, recognized raraae guilders not onb; for their quality and craftsmanship, but also for tl abiUty to incorporate energy efBdeoy homes as well Prestige Properties, Panda Beat Homes, Dale DeLkmasCoastructkm, Steve Pe and Kittmank Building & Design received the "Excellence is Residential Energy Efficiency" award in recognition recog-nition for their commitment in raising, the standard of home construction related to energy savings and conuort. tar toe w raraae or nomes toe Energy Award was sponsored by Utah Energy Conservation Coalition and Certain Teed Insulation Cnrnnratinn in faint mfTnrttn hma tK mMw mA benefits associated with energy efficient buildings. In addition to the five awards, Energy Rated Homes of vma murwjuceu a new trowing iropny recognizing tne most energy efficient builder participating in the Parade of Homes. Deeann Huish the Executive Officer of the Utah 'Valley Home Builders Association commented. com-mented. The purDQse of introdncine this new award and th cnntinrmtinn nTfht ntW nim wonts of the Parade of Homes is essential in educating Utah home buyers and builders about the importance of paroapanng m voluntary energy eniaent construction practices and programsThese awards are a small way that we can recognise our builders for their dedicatkra to energy efficiency and tta they show as part of the housing industry in this valley Fbr lus efforts 11 year, but for constant encouragement -and dedication towards energy efficiency in the housing industry the cuuMH omui uh rraui Mireuergy eu-aeni ouiKang practices ana construction went to Dale OeUamas ' ---.., w vmu(j ""-vv. MMnvtuig yiowi, mm wuou uvuiuii man w uws ueidMiaaB Ckmstruction. IMJamas Construction wiU be able to proudly d 2000 Parade of Homes occurs. AT that time a new builder may be able to receive it. This is the second year that Energy Rated Homes of Utah has assisted the UVHBA in recognizing the " importance of energy efficiency in residential construction. AH homes were judged on various aspects of energy efficiency such as energy landscaping, site planning and orientation, sustainable building practices (recycling), participation in the EPA Energy Star" HOMES Program, and the results of a nationally recognized intensive Home Energy Rating System analysis. "I was pleasantry surprised to see how dose the judging and final energy analysis turned out on these homes. It is gratifying to see the attention to detail and to what degree many of ; these builders went in order to ensure that they built an energy efficient home for the Parade this year. Many of the energy features in these homes incorporated state-of-the-art energy systems and construction practices that epitomize the best of energy efficient building technology" stated David A Wilson, Executive Director for the Utah Energy Conservation Coalition. v AH homes were reviewed through a Home Energy Rating system which is a comprehensive analysis of the energy efficiency of the dwelling. Homes receive scores from 0-100 points which are then translated into a Star Rating value of 1-5 stars, with 100 points or 5 stars beingthe highest and most energy efficient Many of the homes in the parade will be distinguished for their energy efficiency through the displaying of a yard sign stating that they are recognized as a "5 Star" energy minimum energy levels required by law by 30 or greater. During the Parade, all builders will also have available for display a mounted certificate stating their "Home Energy Rating," as well as a packet of information informa-tion on energy efficiency items such as energy mortgages, tips on energy conservation, and Home Energy Rating System related informational publications. Parade builders have been encouraged to align themselves with the EPA Energy Star HOMES Program in order to take advantage of energy efficient builders' guides and numerous marketing tools designed to emphasize empha-size the imsortance of enenrv effiripnrv hi th Wisino mhistr-v "Tl.i wvt,,-,.. . . W t Mm w J. .HWWW TWHIIWII UiCU JhCfc Kli ITCH lUgl iUil that gives builders recognition, assistance, and encouragement for building energy efficient homes that exceed the romimnm energy codes bv at least 30. This nrom-am anamnms m higher eianAnrA r m,at.-- .v;.w I translates to energy savings and greater comfort for the home owners," says David Wilson. ineuian vauey raraoeoi Homes runs Jury 15-25, 1999 with 25 homes located throughout the Utah Valley area. Everyone is invited to visit the homes and rp the fruits, nf t) ima hnm- nrv v.. i . homes. Energy Rated Homes will be participating in the parade through their garage booth located at the J-2 Home (1741 North 400 West in Orem). All are invited to come by and find out more about the benefits of energy efficiency and Home Energy Ratings. i i Ii, ' f S : 1 O y , - 7 ODS0)Eir II l ' If 3m Congratulations! ! ! CertairileadCI Energy Efficient Award" winners. Dellamas Construction ' Rittmanic Building & Design Prestige Home Builders Panda Bear Homes 1 1 Steve Perry Construction & Design Come and visit us during the Parade of Homes at 1741 North 400 West Orem COPY |