The meeting on April 2, 2025, was a rededication ceremony for the Jerry Lawton Plaza on South Main Street in Fall River. The park was originally dedicated in 1993 to Jerry Lawton's memory, with Councilor Kamaro serving on the original committee. The plaza recently underwent renovations, carried out by Century Paving and the City, prompting this rededication to honor Lawton's enduring legacy. Speakers at the event highlighted Jerry Lawton's significant contributions to the community, particularly his role as a fierce advocate for the homeless for over 20 years. He owned and operated Jerry's Lodging at 175 North Main Street, where he provided shelter, food, and support to those in need. Vice Chairman Linda Pereira, a City Councilor, shared personal memories of Lawton, recalling how he, along with Attorney Lloyd Belford and Bob Sore, would offer ideas to improve Fall River. She emphasized Lawton's dedication to caring for homeless men and expressed her appreciation for the park's restoration. Reverend Jim Hornsby, a close friend of Jerry Lawton, delivered a heartfelt tribute, speaking about Lawton's extensive friendships and his profound work with the homeless. He also mentioned Lawton's late wife, Nancy, who passed away approximately 7 or 8 years prior, and quoted Bishop Desmond Tutu, stating that "Jerry Lawton had some of God's heart." The ceremony concluded with expressions of gratitude to all attendees for honoring Jerry Lawton's lasting impact on the community.
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Council
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okay good afternoon everybody I want to thank everyone for coming to the dedication of the Jerry Lon park right on South Main Street in Fall River um and I want to thank this opportunity for everyone being here for this reopening and dedication the park was originally dedicated to Jerry's memory in 1993 uh councelor kamaro was one of the original people on that committee that put this together a year after he passed
0:25the park was recently renovated using Century Paving and the City and we wanted to once again recognize the great work that Jerry did with the dedication with the rededication of this beautiful space downtown Jerry Lon was a fierce advocate for the homeless in our city for over 20 years he owned and operated Jerry's lodging at 175 North Main Street and this is where Jerry made certain that
0:48those in need received shelter food and love we remember Jerry lton with pride as we honor his service to the homeless members of our community so many years ago he led by example and for that the city is forever grateful I want to also let a couple of our city councilors at least say a couple of kind words um Vice chairman Linda Pereira sure say a few words Linda and
1:13then PA I didn't know I'd be asked to speak but um I knew Jerry very well when I worked down near the library where my office was I sometimes parked in the parking lot on the side of Jerry's building so it got to be a habit on Friday that I stop in it wasn't just Jerry it was usually attorney Lloyd Belford was there and Bob sore I guess they all went to high school together
1:38and they welcomed me and I was on the city council so they would always give me ideas and suggestions of what we could do to make Fall River better so Jerry certainly put his mark on making sure that our homeless men were fed and well cared for and it's really nice to see this park cleaned up and brought back to the wonderful memory that he left us thank you thank you councelor
2:05Pereira you want to say okay all right so also with us today is uh Reverend Jim Hornsby who was a good friend of uh Jerry laon's to say a few kind words about Jerry I was a friend of Jerry Lon you know that's something I'd like wish I could have written down when I pass away so perhaps with hundreds of people hundreds of people could say Jerry lton was my friend perhaps thousands we'll never
2:47know glad we're rededicating the park I'm happy too for people who are here many of Jerry's friends have no longer with us here and I suspect that J's looking down on us and Gathering and wondering if anyone would is going to say anything bad about him cuz Jerry had some bad his wife Nancy I remember well she died about 7 or eight years ago and his family and so today we can remember Jerry and remember
3:44too that it is his work with homeless people that's the reason why folks wanted to do this one of my Bishops Desmond tuto inspires me Bishop tutu was fond of saying that God has no hands God has no mouth but we have hands and a mouth God has no heart either but Jerry Lon had some of God's heart amen nice that was good um thank you Reverend horby and again I want to thank everybody for
4:39coming out it's a little chilly here but I'm sure this is a fitting tribute to a guy that did so much for our community again thank you everybody