Broom: A Man of Service

WAITSBURG - Long- time Waitsburg resi- dent, activist and tireless his- torian Jeff Broom received the prestigious Commercial Club Community Service award on Tuesday, a recog- nition some said was long overdue.

"Jeff has done more than his share to see that Waits- burg is on the map and de- serves our thanks for all his volunteer work to support our wonderful community," club members Larry and Deanne Johnson wrote in their nomination letter.

Broom, who received a standing ovation from Commercial Club members during the award ceremony, humbly accepted the award from former Times publisher Tom Baker, saying his com- munity projects have slowed down recently but he will keep volunteering for the foreseeable future. He said his main focus remains on the Waitsburg Historical So- ciety, which he chairs.

"I tried to do what you do in a small town like Waits- burg: community service," said Broom, who was not informed of his award ahead of time and seemed genuinely surprised by the special recognition. "It's been fun. I've enjoyed every bit of it. I still have a few good years in me and I will do what I can."

In their letter, the John- sons said Broom, who served on the city council, has been or is a member of almost ev- ery organization in Waitsburg and "is an important part of the Downtown Development Committee that was instru- mental in the beautification of our downtown landscape."

As the chair of the club's Commerce Committee, Broom almost single-hand- edly installed a large portion of the lights on the rooftops of downtown buildings and before the historic build- ing burned to the ground in September 2009, he worked "tirelessly" to support the restoration of the Preston Shaffer Mill, the Johnsons said.

"As president of the His- torical Society, we have seen Jeff take the Bruce House and Wilson Phillips house to its next," they went on. "He has brought us (society) into the computer world and we are now on line. Via the in- ternet, you will soon be able to tour (the Bruce Mansion) without leaving your living room."

Others who wrote in support of Broom's nomination cited his work on behalf of downtown. Broom was one of three key members of the Waitsburg Community Re- vitalization Committee and "performed tons of behindthe scenes work between our group, the city and funding sources," former Times pub- lisher Loyal Baker said.

"His influence was crucial because of his knack for ef- fectively communicating," Loyal Baker recalled in writ- ten comments about Broom, whom he said also "gave freely of his time and exper- tise to help Ye Towne Hall."

During his time on the city council, Broom spoke or wrote to funding sources that eventually provided $650,000 towards the down- town streetscape project and proceeded to donate the town clock with his sister Joy in memory of their parents.

"What a beautiful touch it lends to Main Street," Loyal Baker wrote.