[E-updates] News Releases From Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department

[Lisa Patterson]

In Today's News From Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department For Wednesday,
October 15, 2003.

1)	Sculpture Honoring Former City Manager To Be Unveiled
2)	BIOGRAPHY - Buford M. Watson, Jr.

SCULPTURE HONORING FORMER CITY MANAGER TO BE UNVEILED
PREPARED BY:  Roger Steinbrock, 785-832-3458
SOURCES:  Tom Wilkerson, 785-842-8145
LAWRENCE - A sculptured bust of longtime City Manager Buford Watson will be
unveiled in a ceremony Sunday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. in the gazebo at his
namesake park, Buford M. Watson, Jr. Park, located at 7th St. and Kentucky
St., rain or shine. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. 

Watson served as city manager of Lawrence from 1970 until his death in 1989.


The bust was created by Tom Wilkerson, a friend and former assistant
director of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. Wilkerson created
the bust to honor Watson because of his leadership and because he was
affiliated with him as a fellow Mason.

"It was created out of respect for Buford," Wilkerson said. "I didn't
directly work for him, but I respected him a great deal.  Since he was a
fellow Mason, it gave me some encouragement to do something to honor him."

The piece took approximately 10 years to create, Wilkerson said.

"I'm not a sculptor," he said. "I learned a lot from working with many
others and having them assist with the piece. It's not just a piece done by
Tom Wilkerson, but by the whole community. It has been a great experience
working within the art community and all the artists that have worked beside
me."

Wilkerson said the idea came to him while taking a sculpture course through
Parks and Recreation. After telling Jim Patti his idea for the bust, Patti,
the instructor of the Parks and Recreation rock carving class, introduced
Wilkerson to Eldon Tefft, local artist and sculptor. Wilkerson said it was
Tefft that taught him more than he could ever imagine.

"I would hope he (Watson) would be pleased," Wilkerson said. "It gives me a
sense of accomplishment to finish the piece.

"Buford was a leader in the State of Kansas, as well as the nation and the
direction that he led the City at the time made us all successful,"
Wilkerson said.  "I'm glad we finally reached fruition with this work. I'm
not seeking recognition. It was done for a man we want to honor, who
deserved the honor."

The master of ceremonies for the ceremony will be Fred DeVictor, director of
Lawrence Parks and Recreation, and will include comments from Wilkerson;
Lawrence City Manager Mike Wildgen, and comment from Watson's wife, Faye,
and their family. The Mayor, David Dunfield, will then accept the artwork as
a gift to the City.

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2)
Biography of Buford M. Watson, Jr.

Buford M. Watson, Jr.   BIO				Compiled by Faye
Watson
Deceased October 25, 1989					phone:
842-6925 
								e-mail:
gfwatson@idir.net <mailto:gfwatson@idir.net> 

Personal:
Born January 2, 1930 in Columbia, MO

Married, four sons, including Mark S. Watson (recently received 25-yr. award
in city government), presently City Manager of  Temple, Texas;  Philip
Watson and Brian Watson of Overland Park, and Brent of Lawrence; 10
grandchildren.

Wife:  G. Faye Watson of 1516 Crescent Road, a retired travel consultant of
over 26 years in Lawrence.

Education:
Master of Public Administration			University of Kansas  1956-7
Bachelor of Public Administration			University of
Missouri  1954

Professional Experience:
City Manager of Lawrence, Kansas				1970 to 1989
City Manager of Sioux City, Iowa				1967 to 1970
City Manager of Muskogee, Oklahoma				1961 to 1967
City Manager of Henryetta, Oklahoma				1958 to 1961
Admin. Assistant of San Angelo, Texas				1957 to 1958

Professional Development:
President of International City Management Association (ICMA) 1986-7
Vice President of ICMA Mountain-Plains Region 1983-5
Board Member, Public Technology, Inc.
Board Member, Editorial Board, American City-County Magazine

Past Chairman, ICMA Task Force on Form of Government
Member ICMA Academy for Professional Development
Charter Member Honorary Fraternity for Public Administration, Pi Alpha Alpha
Vice Chairman (1985) ICMA-NASPAA Academic Affairs Committee
Past Member of ICMA Conference Planning Committee
Past Chairman of ICMA Ethics Committee

Member of 8-man  ICMA European Task Force (1976) studying governments in
West Germany, England and the Netherlands, a project of the Charles F
Kettering Foundation. 

Former President, Kansas Association of City Managers
Former President, Oklahoma City Managers Association
Former Vice President, Iowa City Managers Association

SPECIAL AWARDS:
First Recipient (1982) of ICMA Orin Nolting International Award for
fostering the exchange of innovative ideas among cities around the world,
and for utilizing some of those ideas in Lawrence - bicycle paths, saw-tooth
curbs, trees and flower boxes downtown, water fountain at water plant, etc.

First Recipient (1988) of Excellence in Local Government Administration
Award 
		Established in his honor by Kansas Assn. of City Managers

Special Award (1986) from Kansas Recreation & Parks Assn.


MEMORIALS AND AWARDS ESTABLISHED IN HIS HONOR:

Buford M. Watson, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund established at K.U.
Department of Public Administration, City Manager School. Endowed fund by
family and friends.  Have issued 14 annual scholarship funds to young men
and women who desire to pursue a graduate career in city management.  All
but two are presently in city government careers.

Buford M. Watson, Jr. Park was dedicated in January, 1990.

Buford M. Watson, Jr. Public Service Award established by the Lawrence
Chamber of Commerce in 1990, given to a public servant in the city, county
or school governments.

Assistant Excellence in Leadership Award in Memory of Buford M. Watson, Jr.,
established by the International City Management Association and awarded
each year to a local government management professional who has made
significant contributions toward excellence in leadership while serving as
an assistant to the city manager, or a department head.


CIVIC PARTICIPATION:
	Rotary Club  
	Chamber of Commerce
	Lawrence Scottish Rite - 32nd degree
	Plymouth Congregational Church

Comments from his wife:
Buford was highly respected by his peers for his dedication and
professionalism in City Management.  Dozens of young men and women have
shared with his family of his influence on them to carry forth his high
principles and dedication to better local government.  His commitment to
promote better, efficient, and honest continued excellence in this task of
governing our cities in the best possible way - Commission/manager form of
government.

Buford's love for the City of Lawrence and its citizens, and his vision for
the future of Lawrence, will live on in his many accomplishments benefiting
people for years to come.  A passage from his memorial service that ... as
long as his memory evokes a wistful smile, he is remembered with fondness.
Every time I am out and about in Lawrence, someone always reminds me of
their relationship with Buf, that he was a good man and a good friend to so
many.   He is missed!


Roger Steinbrock
Marketing Supervisor
Parks & Recreation Dept.
City of Lawrence