Log in

Selden: A Paradise Valley spin on ‘Paul Revere’s Ride’

Posted

Listen, my children, and you shall hear,
Of the tale of a Mayor and Council who we do revere.
They took office in January, two thousand nineteen,
And what a record of accomplishments we have seen.
It is time to reflect and give them this poetic cheer.

Mayor Jerry is a modest person. He would want us to talk of others.
He would deflect this tribute, if he had his druthers.
This poem will also comment on each other Council member.
Their devotion and contributions to the town we will long remember.
And on the Council, they should all be sisters and brothers.

For a new Town Manager, Jerry led the recruitment of Jill.
She is a rare combination of experience, judgment and skill.
Jill hit the ground running when she arrived in late spring.
We learned quickly that so many talents to the table she does bring.
When effective management is called for, she answers, “I will.”

Jill does not do it alone; she has a great staff.
The town employees do so much on the residents’ behalf.
The town is paying down our public safety retirement liability.
The police department protects us to the best of their ability.
They catch speeders, burglars and keep out the riff raff.

We applaud the year of service as Vice Mayor by Scott Moore.
When reviewing development proposals, Scott takes the laboring oar.
Whether it is riding his motorcycle or driving his classic car,
In all aspects of life, Scott is not content to settle for shooting par.
His year as Vice Mayor was just what we were looking for.

Paul Dembow, the Council’s “dean,” is cautious to spend public money.
But he can say “no” with a smile. His demeanor is usually sunny.
One thing about Paul that is not conservative you can see.
It’s the way he dresses. He could be a model for Versace.
Paul is helping PV to be the proverbial land of milk and honey.

Mark Stanton’s tenure reflects his knowledge about government.
His calm demeanor is appreciated. That is his temperament.
His charming family will light up any room and make it aglow.
We are long on gratitude, even if Mark does not cast a long shadow.

We appreciate his service. Town residents share this sentiment.

Julie Pace pursues her service with enormous passion.
Preserving the mountains and P.V.’s quality of life is her vision.
To make a difference, she enlists others to achieve synergy.
She has earned her reputation as a doer; she is full of energy.
But at times some may wish that someone would give her some Ambien.

We are grateful that Ellen Andeen took advantage of the opportunity.
To run for Council and continue her service to our community.
Ellen is a straight shooter. She won’t give you a song and dance.
She was a police volunteer, Chairs ACOPS and is a whiz at finance.
Her roots here go back to her relative who named a Mountain, Mummy.

It has now been a full year on Council for Anna Thomasson.
She devotes a lot of time to attending every event under the sun.
She listens to all, whether pedestrian or sublime.
She proved during her election campaign, it was Thomasson time.
She won’t rest until she has met each resident, every one.

We are so fortunate that Jerry Bien-Wilner is our mayor.
He keeps the town providing great value for each taxpayer.
And it would be a glaring omission from this poetic homily.
If we did not express our gratitude to Robyn and their family.
Jerry gives us his time with generosity unusual for a lawyer.

There are overlooked initiatives of Jerry that we could discuss.
For the pledge at Council meetings, we sometimes have children to lead us.
He has ably juggled the roles of mayor, lawyer, husband and father.
He spends countless hours listening and bringing people together.
He is a master, behind the scenes, of building consensus.

Paradise Valley does not need lanterns to signal “One if by land. Two if by sea.”
Nor do we need a town crier to warn that “The Brits are coming. The Brits are coming.”
But the Town Council and staff have repeatedly had to answer the call,
Because, the Ritz is coming. The Ritz is coming.

So with apologies to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
I conclude this poem with one thought about which some are not mellow.
For there is hardly a Paradise Valley man or woman alive.
Who is not wondering, “When will they finish all the work being done on Lincoln Drive?”

Editor’s Note: David Selden is a Paradise Valley resident. He read this poem aloud at the Jan. 9 Paradise Valley Town Council meeting prior to submitting it to the Independent.