I was sad to see that Jerry McAtee passed away recently.
Jerry served on the Solon City Council from 1982 to 1999. I published the Solon Economist from 1980 to 2000 and served as a councilperson during that period myself for eight years. I feel I got to know Jerry well. I can say without qualification that he was a good friend to me, and a good steward to the city.
During our terms as councilmen, we disagreed more than a few times. Sometimes the arguments became passionate, but in the end we voted and moved on not letting our differences change our friendship or respect for each other. We disagreed, spoke our mind, voted and moved on. We won some, lost others. Then, sometimes in the very same meeting, we were allies on a different issue.
Sadly, it seems like we’ve lost that ability in too many of our politics today.
If there’s a heaven, I’m sure Jerry’s there doing what he believes is right even if it’s not popular.
Brian Fleck, Solon, Iowa
Remembering Jerry McAtee
November 3, 2022