A Proposed Tribute To The Johnsons

[Airedale1]

I had the honor, privilege and good fortune to work in the same building as Carl Johnson did in the early 90's. He was a wonderful person who loved NH and it's people. He is greatly missed. I think the following is a very nice idea.


From Today's Citizen

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...879/-1/CITIZEN


Bill seeks to name bay for Johnsons
Meredith:

By JOHN KOZIOL
jkoziol@citizen.com
Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Family members and friends are applauding a legislative effort that on state maps, at least, would honor the late Carl and Jeanette Johnson by naming an inlet of Lake Winnipesaukee after them.

Currently unnamed, the water from Ledge Island southward to the northern end of Stonedam Island would be called "Johnsons Bay" under a bill introduced by State Sen. Jeanie Forrester and co-sponsored by State Reps. Colette Worsman and Robert Greemore, all of whom are Republicans from Meredith, the town that the Johnsons made their permanent home in 1973.

Originally the idea of state Sen. Jack Barnes, R-Raymond, who worked with Carl Johnson during the latter's six terms in the New Hampshire Senate, Forrester said the naming of the bay after the Johnsons, who lived on nearby Dale Road beginning seasonally in 1957, was a fitting way to remember the couple and their many accomplishments.

Carl Johnson Jr. agreed, saying his father, who died on Sept. 18 and his mother, who passed away five days later, would have appreciated the gesture, even though they might have been embarrassed by the fuss over them.

"They loved the area," Johnson said of his parents, explaining that his father, who was from Massachusetts served in the Coast Guard, and first came north at the invitation of a service buddy who happened to be from Meredith. The Johnsons plunked down $5,600 for what was then a camp with 90 feet of frontage on the Big Lake but which over the years, grew into a year-round residence.

"My mother and father were both humble people. I think they would have been very proud of this designation but I don't think it was something that they necessarily were in public service for. Both my parents spent significant time and resources on lakes issues, water quality, shorefront development and most recently, with the Loon Preservation Committee and the loon recovery program."

Johnson thanked Barnes, Forrester, Worsman and Greemore and all others who "would think to honor my parents" by naming a bay after them.

Forrester said if the Legislature approves her proposal, "Johnsons Bay" would appear on all state maps, but not on federal ones, which would require authorization by the U.S. Geological Survey, which she noted could be pursued in the future.

A freshman lawmaker, Forrester said she did not expect any opposition in the Legislature to the "Johnsons Bay" bill because both Carl Sr. and Jeanette Johnson were widely known and admired for their civic involvement.

"This is a great tribute to a great man and his wife, each of whom was very much a part of this community," said Reynolds.

Former State Rep. Fran Wendelboe, who received Carl Johnson's endorsement in the Sept. 14 Republican primary but lost the GOP nomination for the Second Senate District to Forrester, said the effort that began with Barnes and now being pursued by Forrester was a "wonderful" one.

"Carl and Jeanette have been wonderful citizens of the Meredith community for so many years and this would be a wonderful memorial to them," Wendelboe said.

Chuck Palm, who chairs the Meredith Board of Selectmen, observed that since the naming bill is wholly a state matter, the selectmen will have no formal say in the "Johnsons Bay" designation but he, personally, supports it.

"It's a good idea," said Palm, adding that along with his wife, Carl Johnson "made an awful lot of contributions to the State of New Hampshire and the local area."

[fatlazyless]

Both he and his wife, who were in their mid-80's died within a few days of one another......could be that the grief of his loss put the ko on his wife who died soon thereafter.....to join him in the hereafter....or something like that?

Heard that Carl used to be a hard-throwing baseball pitcher, and got as far as the Boston Braves team in the 1940's or something and for a short time...was a roommate with hall-of-famer Warren Spahn....?

Carl was a New Hampshire Republican who served in both the house and state senate representing Meredith, dedicated to environmental issues and local schools, and was a big supporter in the recent political battle to get a Winnipesaukee speed limit, 45day-25nite, passed into law. He lived on the side of Meredith Bay that catches the afternoon sun, big-time!