Joan's Day

The Mayor was beside himself. He had arranged an appreciation/going away surprise party for Joan Duffy at City Hall and it appeared that everyone invited would be in attendance except for the guest of honor. The party had been scheduled for Tuesday, May 21st during the regularly scheduled craft meeting of the Crafty Ladies, of which Joan was a member. It had been Joan�s fellow Crafty Lady Betty Doherty�s job to ensure that Joan would attend the Club�s Tuesday craft session, but persuading Joan to attend was proving difficult for Betty. Apparently she had exhausted all avenues of approach before finally calling the Mayor to inform him of Joan�s obstinacy in refusing to attend the meeting. Joan had indicated that she felt that she was too busy with last minute moving preparations to meet with the group on Tuesday.

The Mayor sadly envisioned his surprise party plans going the way of the dinosaurs. So, he assumed his most mayoral authoritative voice when he called Joan to convey that her attendance was required at the Crafty Ladies Tuesday meeting. However, Joan was not to be cowered. She politely refused the Mayor�s insists, probably at this point becoming suspicious of the immense effort involved to secure her commitment to attend Tuesday�s meeting.

Anyone who knows Joan is aware that she prefers to live a very low-key existence. Although Joan has worked diligently over the last ten years to improve conditions in the community through establishing effective City government, she has downplayed her role in the successes she has helped to create. If asked, Joan would declare that sentimentality impedes progress or suggest that pats on the back he saved for man�s best friend.

The Mayor is aware of Joan�s unwillingness to accept praise. He and Joan have been through a lot together. He has always admired her stubborn determination and has acknowledged that it is that personality trait which has allowed her to accomplish so much. She has never admitted defeat when encountering obstacles. It is not in her nature to give-up or give-in. Does the word �amphitheatre� ring a bell? Joan�s response to that nefarious monstrosity�s desire to find a home in Lake Helen was �not in my neighborhood or town for that matter�. She led the charge to prevent the amphitheatre�s development in Lake Helen and, after a lengthy fight, finally won the battle. In fact, the Mayor tires himself out thinking about Joan�s accomplishments: PLDRC Chairperson, Volusia Growth Management Commission member, co-editor of the City�s first newsletter, City grant-writer, organizer of important City documents such as the Code of Ordinances and the Comprehensive Plan. He knows that whenever there is work to be performed, Joan is the driving force to see the work through to its fruition.

Now, the Mayor is ensconced in a dilemma. Joan�s stubbornness is proving difficult. So the Mayor does what any powerful figure would do in the face of adversity; he resorts to begging. He pleads with Joan to attend the Crafty Ladies meeting on Tuesday admitting finally that a celebration luncheon has been planned in her honor. He explains that City staff has prepared a Mayor�s Proclamation declaring the day as �Joan Duffy Day� in appreciation of her extensive volunteer efforts over the past ten years.

And yes, Joan does reluctantly agree to attend the luncheon. Her family and friends are there to sing her praises and offer their thanks. And yes, she does shed a tear over the effusion of sentimentality.

Thank you Joan for letting us thank you. You have worked your magic on Lake Helen. You are a wonderful person who has made a powerful impact in the ten years you have been here. May there be more citizens like you to follow in your footsteps. Every City should have a Joan Duffy. We�re going to miss ours.