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2008 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 233
Commending Forest G. Jones.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, February 27, 2008
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 28, 2008
 

WHEREAS, Forest G. Jones, City Manager of the City of Salem, an admired and respected citizen and longtime public servant, will retire in February 2008; and

WHEREAS, Forest Jones has served as the hardworking city manager of Salem since 2000; he served as the assistant city manager from 1987 to 2000 and the director of administrative services for the Salem City Schools from 1982 to 1987; and

WHEREAS, Forest G. Jones graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina; earned a master’s degree in mathematics and science from Randolph College in Lynchburg; and continued his education through postgraduate studies in administration at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and

WHEREAS, before serving as an administrator for Salem, Forest Jones was a principal, assistant principal, mathematics teacher, and coach for the Salem City Schools; and

WHEREAS, as city manager, Forest Jones has been instrumental in the establishment of the Moyer Sports Complex, Salem Farmers Market, Memorial Baseball Stadium, Rotary Park, Salem Police Department, Fire Station No. 1, and the 10 million gallon water plant; the additions to Salem Public Library and Lake Spring Park; the negotiation of a contract with the YMCA for the development of a new facility and a 20-year wholesale electric contract with American Electric Power; and the founding of the City of Salem Wellness Program for city employees and the Leadership Development Program; and

WHEREAS, Forest Jones has been a great supporter of local and regional sports and has been invaluable in bringing many athletic teams and championship events to Salem; and

WHEREAS, Forest Jones has given his time and expertise to numerous civic organizations over the years, including as a board member of the Lewis Gale Medical Center, Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership, and Western Virginia Foundation for the Arts and Sciences and as a member of the Salem Rotary Club; and

WHEREAS, always willing to help his fellow residents in need, Forest Jones has been a faithful member of the Morning Star Baptist Church and supportive of the church’s many missions in the community; and

WHEREAS, receiving countless awards and accolades over the years, Forest Jones has been honored with the Salem Rotary Club Outstanding Citizen Award in 2002, the L. Douglas Wilder Leadership and Diversity Award in 2003, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award in 2004, the Roanoke County-Salem Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 2006, and was recognized as one of the top 25 leaders in the Roanoke Valley by the Roanoker Magazine; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to the prosperity and economic development of Salem, Forest Jones has been a tireless supporter of his community and has provided his fellow citizens with effective and visionary leadership as city manager since 2000; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Forest G. Jones on his outstanding public service to the citizens of the City of Salem and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Forest G. Jones as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for his many achievements and best wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement.