Dave Jackson used his gifts to better Mequon and Thiensville

By Lisa Curtis - Special to the News Graphic

MEQUON — Let’s face it, the success of any community service group is largely driven by the commitment of its members. The citizen volunteers who spend their nights in meetings, while the rest of us unwind at home. The planners and the thinkers who toil over ideas big and small to improve the world around them.

David Jackson was one of those people who made Mequon and Thiensville better places to live. He did it through his involvement in a broad slate of nonprofits and ad hoc committees. He did it through his generosity. And he did it by just being one of the nicest guys one could meet.

“I don’t think I ever heard him say a bad thing about anybody,” said friend and fellow Rotarian Steve Lettau. “People like that are probably far and few between.”

Jackson died Oct. 4 at the age of 84.

“He had recently had multiple dinners with friends and family, lunches, and even enjoyed a Badger Game with a close friend and grandson. Still driving, still walking, and still using emojis on his phone, he was living life to the absolute best that he could,” his family wrote in his obituary.

Close friend Dave Romoser met Jackson when both were involved with the Community Conversation on the future of Mequon, Thiensville, the school district and the Chamber of Commerce.

They were two of 34 people appointed, Romoser said.

“That’s where I met Dave, and almost immediately said, ‘This is an exceptional human being,’” Romoser said.

In addition to his genuine interest and concern for people, Jackson’s acute listening skills and quiet, deliberative style made him a true asset to any organization or group. He was the last person to speak at a meeting, preferring to hear what others had to say first. And when he did speak, Jackson didn’t use many words.

But they were the right words, Romoser said.

Family, Friends and Politics Workshop:
How to talk with loved ones when you don’t always agree.
Monday, November 8th, 2021
11am – 2:00pm at Cedarburg Cultural Center

Just in time for the holidays! If you want to preserve important relationships while still being true to your values and political beliefs, this workshop is for you. Although the focus is on family relationships, you can use strategies in this workshop with any loved one. You’ll laugh and have some fun—it won’t be all serious. After all, we all come from quirky families!

The workshop will be co-facilitated by Susan Vergeront and Cameron Swallow, from Braver Angels, a national nonprofit with a mission to depolarize America. Susan Vergeront is a retired Presbyterian minister and a former Wisconsin Republican Assemblywoman who represented Ozaukee and Sheboygan Counties for five terms. Cameron Swallow is a former teacher, bluegrass musician, and now Wisconsin state coordinator for Braver Angels.

The Ozaukee League of Women Voters endeavors to break down barriers and bring civility back to our community through open discussion and compassionate collaboration. In that spirit of cooperation, we are bringing Braver Angels to our community. Patriotic-empathy is our shared foundation--that our love for our country is shown by our concern for our fellow citizens.

Pre-registration is required. The $15 cost includes a box lunch. Masks are strongly encouraged, and tickets are limited due to COVID restrictions, so register early at www.lwvozaukee.org.

“If feelings about our political adversaries can be represented on a spectrum, our objective is to move Americans from hatred or disdain to respect and appreciation.” – Braver Angels

Conley Publishing Group

MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) this fall.
In a press release sent out Friday, DHS explained that the flu vaccine is another layer of protection to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from a preventable disease.

“In the last year, we’ve learned some valuable lessons about respiratory viruses,” said Tom Haupt, DHS influenza surveillance coordinator. “It’s critical that we do everything we can to prevent influenza — like getting your flu vaccine. When Wisconsinites work together on good public health behaviors, like vaccination, physical distancing, and hand washing, we can stop the spread of respiratory viruses like influenza.”

Haupt recommends children and adults get the vaccine now to be protected before flu season gets into full swing.

People can get the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, whether it’s their first or second dose, or a booster.

“This fall and winter, the flu is likely to make a comeback, and I encourage all Wisconsinites to protect themselves by getting vaccinated,” said Paula Tran, state health officer and administrator of the DHS Division of Public Health. “When you do, you’re also protecting the most vulnerable people in your life.

While the flu vaccine is safe and effective, and strongly recommended for those 6 months old and older, there are people who are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill if they get the flu. Those include: Children under 6 months old Pregnant people People 65 and older, especially those in congregate living settings People with chronic health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease Visit www.dhs.wisconsin. gov/influenza/prevention.htm for information on how to get your flu vaccine.

By Eva Palmer, assistant governor for District 7280 (Pennsylvania, USA)

Our club is very committed to working with our community and telling people about Rotary. It’s woven into everything we do, including our club’s strategic plan. So when I heard that the city wanted to update the welcome signs leading into our town of Oil City, I jumped at the opportunity to help beautify our city, support tourism efforts, and promote Rotary at the same time.

Because Oil City has three main roads in and out of the town, we needed to replace all three welcome signs and refresh the landscaping around each at a cost of about $3,500. Rotary District 7280 provides grant money to support local projects, as long as the club uses its logo properly, in compliance with Rotary’s brand guidelines, and the project is publicized externally, like in the local newspaper. Our club raised half of the money needed and the district grant covered the rest.

We wanted our club name prominently displayed on the signs, not just the Rotary wheel. So we checked the Brand Center to make sure our logo was correct — and we were happy to find out that it was, with our club name and logo in the right places.

Supporting local business

This project was also a great opportunity to support small businesses in our community. A local company produced and installed the signs. They even created several options for us to choose from, which I presented to all members to ensure everyone had a say in the final design. We also hired a landscaping and garden club to update the planters with seasonal flowers.

Once the signs were installed, we promoted our work on our club website and social media channels. Our local newspaper also published a story about the new signs and the county’s Chamber of Commerce posted about it on their websites and social media pages too. Our local PBS/NPR television station is even featuring the signs to promote a virtual scrapbook series currently in development called Our Town: More Stories from Oil City.

The signs are beautiful and very welcoming, which is exactly what a welcome sign should be. Plus, our club logo is proudly displayed on all three signs — you can’t miss it!