Paul Lore, Jim Thomson Honored for Richmond Heights Council Service

City Council and residents paid tribute to Paul Lore and Jim Thomson this week at City Hall during .

Lore represented District 1. He served as the force behind the fight to save residents and their homes during the Highway 40 project, said Tim Gallagher, a former councilman. At the time, he said, Lore was the only attorney on the council.

 "I don't know that we would have saved as many properties as we did" without Lore, he said. Gallagher described Lore's close defeat in the 1998 council race and his successful bid over now-5th District County Councilman Pat Dolan in 2000.

Lore said he thinks people who can present the other side of an issue are needed.

"I was never afraid to be the lone dissent," Lore said. He said the council often hears little from its residents unless a neighbor's trash isn't picked up or something like the Highway 40 issue arises. It's possible that their unstated needs may at times trump what is needed by the city's employees, Lore said.

In his time on the council, Lore said, he thought it important to funnel as much money as possible toward public works director Bruce Murray, who oversees upkeep of streets and sidewalks. The council also helped build the city's financial reserves, cut down on the size of the public safety building and regulated the front-entry garages of houses.

In one of his final actions as a board member, Lore successfully rallied the council to . That means the billboard outside of will soon come down.

Dolan also presented Lore with a recognition from the County Council.

As for Thomson: "You have the loudest voice … I've ever heard," said Gallagher the former councilman. The comment prompted laughter from the audience.

"It's a schoolhouse voice," replied Thomson, the outgoing District 2 councilman who worked for more than 30 years as a teacher for St. Louis Public Schools.

Gallagher said Thomson helped him understand the plight of people affected by the redevelopment of Highway 40. He also said he sees Thomson at The Heights more than any other council member.

Councilman Mike Jones served with Thomson in the same district. While the two haven't often voted in the same way, he said, Thomson's face-to-face interaction with constituents has made a big difference. The councilmen hold regular  group discussions with residents in their area.

"In Jim's honor, we're going to continue those Saturday meetings," Jones said.

Thomson thanked District 4 Councilwoman for forming a committee aimed at helping the city's senior residents. In the future, he said, he hopes the city can provide a pension for non-uniformed city workers and reduce the library tax by 2 cents, among other changes.

"It's been a fast four years, and I've enjoyed every day of it," Thomson said.