Thank you Vern Gaw!

On May 20, 2015, The 1835 Town Hall Committee read into public record this tribute and thank you to Vern Gaw who resigned from the Committee after 15 years of dedicated service.

“It is with sorrow and regret that we must now congratulate Vern Gaw and publicly acknowledge his personal contribution to the 1835 Town Hall. We acknowledge his unrelenting efforts and gift of time, money, knowledge and his deep sense of care towards the preservation and repurposing of this great building.

In 1999, as one of our most concerned citizens, Vern was instrumental in creating the Old Town Hall Committee, now the 1835 Town Hall Committee.  He served as Chairman for more than 15 years navigating a rough ocean of changing faces, politics, personalities, opposition and ever-growing financial constraints. He has sifted through countless studies, research material, books and grant opportunities. His mild manner and disposition has afforded this Committee great support in the community.

His contribution to this committee and the Town of Sterling cannot be overstated. He has been steadfast in his resolve to see our Old Town Hall restored to its original beauty and character.  Vern should stand proud in the light of Ebenezer Pope who donated the land for the Town Hall, architect John Springer who designed and built this building and Edwin Conant who gave the Town Hall dedicatory address.

The Town Hall has stood as a central focal point for our community for one-hundred-eighty years and is now the community center it was when it was first dedicated in 1835 and Vern has played an integral role in protecting and preserving its legacy for generations to come. For this, we, the 1835 Town Hall Committee, are eternally grateful.”

Signed by Robert McKay Jones, Danielle Ray, Joann Drown, Ronald Pichierri