UPDATED 9/11/14 To include video information at the end of this article.
In a proclamation presented to the Council and residents of West Easton last night, Mayor Gerald Gross made today, “Charles R. W. Stout Jr. Day”.
Mayor Gross made the proclamation in a desire to correct the mistake of not publicly recognizing the passing of Mr. Stout, who died in his home on March 19th of this year, in a timely manner. The failure was perceived as his service to the community not worthy of recognition.
Mr. Stout’s daughter, Sharon Stout, called it “heartbreaking” in an interview with the Express-Times last month.
Mayor Gross said he had hoped to address Sharon Stout personally at last nights meeting, expecting her to be there. She did not attend.
Mayor Gross went on to say that he always considered Charlie Stout a friend and praised him for his service, citing Mr. Stout’s involvement on the Safety Committee and his being a force in making corrections to safety concerns, such as a needed stop sign on the bridge along Lehigh Street and other matters.
Mayor Gross referred to him affectionately as “The Mayor of Lehigh Street,” he said. He also went on to say that the failure to recognize Mr. Stout’s passing was his fault, but noted that there were small memorials and trees planted in the borough that recognized service of others who passed in the community; that the failure in recognizing Mr. Stout was not intentional.
At the conclusion of the resolution a moment of silence was given for Mr. Stout by all in attendance.
A video recording of Mayor Gross reading the proclamation can be found at the 1:18:20 mark on the Youtube upload found HERE.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
