HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10 Correspondence from Gail Woodford, Springfield, Oregon Regarding Naming of the Justice Center
.FEB1420~
City' Manager's Office
225 5th Street
Springfield, Oregon 97477
February 12,2008
Dear City Manager Grimaldi, Mayor Leiken, and members of the City Council,
The intent of this letter is to propose a candidate to be honored in the naming of
Springfield's new Justice Center. The City Council's policy states that the purpose of
this privilege is to "honor the civic involvement, service, commitment...." of an
individual or group to the City of Springfield. I can think of no one in our city's recent
history who is more deserving of this honor than Edward Harms, Jr.
Ed was one member of a generation of citizens who fall into the category of "self-
made" people. They rose from humble and native origins, took advantage of educational
opportunities, fought and won WWII, raised their families, established careers, and
devoted decades to the betterment of their communities. Springfield has prospered and
been made better by a group of these men and women, but many people feel Ed may have
been the outstanding example of this extraordinary group.
Ed Harms began a lifetime of service to Springfield in 1949, after serving in the
Navy and completing his law degree. He chose Springfield over Eugene to establish his
law firm and practiced here for over 50 years. During that time, he was very involved in
civic activities. Mr. Harms was elected to, two terms as mayor, from 1953 until 1960, and
served as City Attorney for Springfield for 28 years. Ed and his contemporaries
established the tone that still pervades Springfield's civic and political atmosphere:
cooperation and pragmatism. He was proud of his city and proud of what sets it apart
from Eugene. He understood the power of cooperation and demonstrated the magnitude
of what can be accomplished when people are committed to simply working together.
This spirit of cooperation is a key part of the legacy Ed Harms left behind.
My father, Don Lutes, another long-time Springfield resident, w~ also deeply
involved in civic work and took his responsibilities seriously. He knew Ed personally
and professionally for over 50 years and expressed many times his desire to see
"something substantial" named to honor Ed; the new Justice Center, he remarked last
year, made perfect sense. When Dad died in May, I know this was one piece of
unfinished business he felt he was leaving, so I write this not just expressing my own
opinion but also on behalf of Don and Donnie Lutes. I am attaching a copy of the letter
my father sent to the City in 2006 on behalf of the Senior Forum. All of these
distinguished men were and still are unanimous in their endorsement of this idea.
Thank you for considering Ed Harms in the naming of the Justice Center. He was
a leader, a communicator and a life-long giver, committed to sharing the gifts he had and
serving the city he loved. Edward Harms was instrumental in the shaping of Springfield
for the past 50 years. What better way to honor his memory and his service than by
writing his name on the future?
.~~~
Gail Woodford
2177 Fireside Court
Springfield, Oregon 97477
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The Springfield Senior Foru~provides a.v.:ee~'~ forum ftr di~cus~.io.~~6fciViC issues with a ~oal ~f
enlightenment of its members ~.~d ofprovldingt:where app[.?p~~te'1!f,gu.e,~.tS a~d the commumty WIth
experienced vieWs on public att:afrs and a perceptlOn,,gft~epubhc good.
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October 2, 2006
MEMORANDUM
TO: Gino Grimaldi, City Manager
Cynthia Pappas, Assistant City Manager
FR: Springfield Senior Forum ~
RE: Proposal for Justice Center Naming
The Springfield Senior Forum has been discussing the possibility of an appropriate
memorial for Ed Harms for the past six months, and has asked me to forward their
unanimous recommendation to you for consideration, with more specific information to
follow if needed.
As you know, Ed was elected to the City Council in the early Fifties, and followed that
service with two terms as Mayor from 1953 to 1%1. Under his leadership, Springfield
grew up, with installation of modern utilities, paving of miles of streets, renewal of the
"One Tenth of the Town" around Pioneer Parkway, and the annexation of the Thurston
area. It was during this period that Springfield acquired the reputation for good
government that the City still enjoys today. .
Following his elected service, Ed was retained as City Attorney from 1964 to 1992, as
well as serving on the State Board of Higher Education from 1975-85 and the Oregon
Environmental Quality Commission for 15 years. He was recognized for his dedication
by being selected both as First Citizen (1957) and Distinguished Citizen (1999).
In view of the above, and the fact that Ed spent much of his professional life practicing
law in, and being an active supporter of the Downtown where the Justice Center will be
located, we urge you to consider naming the new center the "Edward C. Harms, Jr.
Justice Center".
Don Lutes, Senior Forum Chair, Springfield Planning Commission 1954-65, 1993-99
Claude Gerlach, Mayor of Springfield, 1945-49
John McCully, Mayor of Springfield, 1967-71
Leonard Clearwater, City Counselor, 1970-73
Roscoe Cole, City Counselor, 1973-76
.. .. And the other members of the Forum