3 months ago
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The large black ribbons hanging on City Hall's doors signal the loss of Jasper’s leader.Mayor David O'Mary died suddenly Tuesday.Linda Lewis heads up the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and witnessed O'Mary's industrial recruiting talents firsthand. “He was a mentor of the community. He, he got it. He was the glue that held our community together,” Lewis said.Mike Putnam runs Main Street Jasper.He claims 95% of downtown storefronts are open for business these days.“Occupancy before Main Street and before David, maybe 30%,” Putnam said.A career banker, O'Mary was first elected mayor in 2016.He ran unopposed four years later.Putnam said O'Mary was instrumental in bringing Main Street back to life, and his loss hurts.“Detrimental. He was, he was a leader. He was a friend,” Putnam said.Lewis says a chamber of commerce colleague sends out daily words of wisdom.She thinks the motto she received Wednesday perfectly defines her friend O'Mary“It said, ‘A superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.’ I can't say it any better than that,” Lewis said.The mayor's family announced funeral arrangements Wednesday. They will be held at First Baptist Church of Jasper on Friday. Visitation is set for 1 p.m., with the funeral service to follow an hour later.Gary Cowen is serving as acting mayor following O’Mary’s death.It is unclear if a special election will be held to pick someone to finish out the final year of O’Mary’s term.
JASPER, Ala. —
The large black ribbons hanging on City Hall's doors signal the loss of Jasper’s leader.
Mayor David O'Mary died suddenly Tuesday.
Linda Lewis heads up the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and witnessed O'Mary's industrial recruiting talents firsthand.
“He was a mentor of the community. He, he got it. He was the glue that held our community together,” Lewis said.
Mike Putnam runs Main Street Jasper.
He claims 95% of downtown storefronts are open for business these days.
“Occupancy before Main Street and before David, maybe 30%,” Putnam said.
A career banker, O'Mary was first elected mayor in 2016.
He ran unopposed four years later.
Putnam said O'Mary was instrumental in bringing Main Street back to life, and his loss hurts.
“Detrimental. He was, he was a leader. He was a friend,” Putnam said.
Lewis says a chamber of commerce colleague sends out daily words of wisdom.
She thinks the motto she received Wednesday perfectly defines her friend O'Mary
“It said, ‘A superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.’ I can't say it any better than that,” Lewis said.
The mayor's family announced funeral arrangements Wednesday.
They will be held at First Baptist Church of Jasper on Friday.
Visitation is set for 1 p.m., with the funeral service to follow an hour later.
Gary Cowen is serving as acting mayor following O’Mary’s death.
It is unclear if a special election will be held to pick someone to finish out the final year of O’Mary’s term.
English (US)