Mayor Joe Reardon (File staff photo)
From the Hill
It is with sadness that I am writing this column about our esteemed Mayor Joe Reardon deciding not to run for office again. He has been a good mayor and followed through with the dream of the growth out west, as well as working with the older parts of town. Now what I am about to say is my opinion, and you may or may not agree. But let me tell you about the Joe Reardon I know.
He is a wonderful family man and adores his two sons, Jack and Connor. I have known Jack since he was about 4 years old and Connor since he was born. But I believe Jack will follow in his dad’s footsteps. We were having a street festival on the Hill, and Jack was all of 5. He was working the crowd. Someone would tell him he was cute, and he would offer his hand and say, “Hi, my name is Jack Reardon. I’m glad to meet you.” See what I’m saying? Like father, like son.
Mayor Reardon has an infectious laugh that comes from the heart. He enjoys a good conversation and always comes up with good ideas. I never met anyone who could speak so extemporaneously, and never need notes. Ask him a question, and he would have an answer without even pondering over it. It amazed me.
When I first met Mayor Reardon, he was running for commissioner. We sat down and had a long talk and I was immediately impressed. He has a real feeling for the old part of the city, and wanted to help get things done to improve it. He also wanted to help keep Mayor Marinovich’s dream of Village West growing. After being elected mayor, he did just that. And has it grown? By leaps and bounds. And a lot of hard work from City Hall. He will be leaving our town in better shape than he found it, and isn’t that every man’s dream? To improve whatever you can and leave a mark in your walk through life?
I know him to be a genuine person that will not lie, and respects your opinion. I know when he is angry, because his face turns red. Sorry, Joe, but that was a “tell.” We have cut ribbons together and dedicated different things together, and every time it was exciting, because it meant something good happened.
I hope his plans for the future are a great success, and he goes on to bigger and better things. I wish him and his family the best of luck. We will miss you, mayor. But it has been a fun eight years working with you and staff getting dreams fulfilled here in my corner of the world. Thank you for being who you are and doing so much for the city you love.
You will be missed.
Remember when?
There was no Village West as we know it?
No casino, hotels, sport arena, or Cerner?
No Midtown Police division? Thanks, mayor.
Carole Diehl is the president of the Strawberry Hill Neighborhood Association.