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It was a very "newsy" week - we swapped mayors, swore in old and new city councilpersons, postponed the Fann annexation, and then called a special meeting to vote on it after all, during which it passed unanimously. We also had the first rain since monsoons, and a healthy rain it was, too.
But, surely some of the highlights of the week were the many tributes to outgoing Mayor Rowle Simmons. From the Monday night celebration, to his final City Council meeting, Simmons was roasted and toasted for nearly a full 24-hours worth of love and affection.
Not everyone was able to attend all the events, so we are offering this final Tribute to Rowle here on Prescott eNews, with a couple of special replays for those who missed them. Be sure to read the entire article, or else you might miss Kim Kapin's movie on Simmons and Ken Bennett's song.
Monday Night Celebration
Monday night, at the Community Center was a special treat, as Mary Ann Suttles said, with about 200 people gathered together to take the opportunity to celebrate what Simmons had accomplished in office, and even more importantly, the character and kindness that Simmons had always exhibited. The accolades were many, here are just a few samples of comments spoken to this reporter:
Kathy and Frank Langford
Rowle's always been there to listen to us whenever we had something to say, and I want to thank him for that because he was always available as mayor. I want to extend my thanks, I think he's done a great service for the businesses in town, for tourism, and his commitment to help managing the growth.
Patti Crouse
There's no one like Rowle, there's no one like Rowle.
Steve Blair
He's done a great job and I'm glad we're doing this for him.
Dave Mauer
In the 3 years I've been with the chamber, we've had a great working relationship with the mayor, I've certainly enjoyed working with him, I think he's going to be missed, and we thank him for his leadership.
Johnny
I think I am going to miss him, there's no doubt. There's no doubt he's done a lot for the community and no doubt he's done a lot for the rodeo... I hope the general direction stays the same. It's important that the people running it stay there because they are rodeo people. We know our business, I hope.
Patty
I've known Rowle for many, many years, I used to have a business in downtown Prescott, and I have had since the early 80's, and knew Rowle as a business person right after he came to town, and then when he became mayor as well. He's done a lot of great things for the town that people seem to forget after a while, out of sight, out of mind.
Jim Lamerson
Rowle will be serving our community and Prescott until the day he dies. He's not going anywhere, he's staying right here. He'll continue to find ways to serve the community - we love Rowle.
Joan Fleming
I just think he did a tremendous job while he was mayor and I enjoyed working with him, and he and his wife, of course, are friends of mine, and in my opinion, he will always be my mayor.
Ken Bennett
I just told Rowle that I think our community will be better for generations because of what he did during his time as mayor, and I'm just very appreciative of what he did. He did a great job and we're all the better for it.
Mike Fann
Golly, Rowle did a wonderful job for this community for many years, I hate to see him go. He's done his time, he's sacrificed a lot for this community, so I've got to thank him.
Kevin Kapp
Rowle Simmons is the main reason why the Prescott Unified School District has such a great relationship with the City of Prescott. Knowing he's at the top spot in the city has made it very easy to work with the city, and he's always willing to get along and work it out and do what's best for kids, so we're going to miss him, and we'll keep working with the city and Jack Wilson, the same way and keep good things going but we owe a lot to Rowle Simmons.
Celebration of Rowle Movie
Also shown on Monday night was a wonderful movie put together by Kim Kapin, the City of Prescott Communications Director. It was poignant, funny, and a perfect insider's look at Simmons. Kapin has graciously allowed it to be replayed on Prescott eNews:
But, Wait, There Was One More Thing on Monday Night!
Just when Simmons thought that the evening was done, he was asked to come to the stage one more time. He had missed the original ribbon-cutting celebration of the Community Center, so it was decided to re-enact the event. With a broad smile, Simmons yielded the giant scissors one more time; only to be informed that the Community Center would be renamed the Rowle P. Simmons Community Center in his honor, providing that the City Council would approve the measure, that is.
It's a good thing that was the last item on the program, because Simmons was rendered speechless with surprise at that announcement!
The next day, during the City Council meeting, it was a day for honor and tears and even more kind words spoken on behalf of Mayor Rowle Simmons. It started with a presentation by Enrique Melendez, Honorary Consul for El Salvador, and a message from the President of El Salvador, who chided Simmons for not allowing him to campaign in Simmons' behalf, and sent his best wishes with a parting gift.
Various plaques were offered and roses were given to Mrs. Simmons. But, probably the best Tribute of the day, was the grand finale: A Special Song by former Arizona State Senator Ken Bennett:
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It was a very "newsy" week - we swapped mayors, swore in old and new city councilpersons, postponed the Fann annexation, and then called a special meeting to vote on it after all, during which it passed unanimously. We also had the first rain since monsoons, and a healthy rain it was, too.
But, Wait, There Was One More Thing on Monday Night! 
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