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Longtime city mayor Beamer dies
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Tom Joyce
Staff Reporter
As the longest-serving mayor in Mount Airy's history, W.M. “Maynard” Beamer's life truly defined what it meant to be a public servant, former associates said Tuesday.
Beamer, 88, died late Monday night at Northern Hospital of Surry County after battling numerous health problems.
He had stepped down as a North Ward commissioner in 2003, citing recent open-heart surgery and vision difficulties, after a 40-year career in city government.
“I've got a tremendous amount of respect for the contribution he made to the city of Mount Airy,” said current Mayor Jack Loftis. “He certainly set a standard that is very difficult for anybody to emulate.”
A memorial service for the longtime city official is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, where he was an active member. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour before the service.
Beamer, a lifelong resident of Mount Airy, became involved in city government in 1958, first as a commissioner. He became mayor on July 1, 1969, and served in that capacity for the next 24 years, followed by more service as a councilman before opting not to seek re-election in 2003. Present North Ward commissioner Swanson Richards then ran unopposed for his seat.
The Municipal Building on South Main Street, the city library on Rockford Street, two fire stations, water and sewer plants, and two industrial parks are among the physical examples of Beamer's legacy in the city.
Perhaps even more significant are the personal qualities Beamer exemplified that helped bring these and other projects to fruition, present and former officials said.
“We've lost a true public servant,” said At-Large Commissioner Mike King, who worked with Beamer. “I mean, he gave it his all.”
King pointed out that Beamer's honesty, professionalism, work ethic and fairness to people helped guide the city through many challenging times.
“He promoted it and he lived it,” King added of the former mayor's dedication to public service. “Even before I served with him, I looked up to him.”
Calling Beamer “a perfect gentleman,” King said, “I think his leadership spills across the years.”
Beamer was also remembered Tuesday for his financial expertise. It took root at National Business College in Roanoke, Va., where he received a degree in business administration in 1940.
Also a former member of the U.S. Navy during World War II, Beamer joined Quality Mills/Cross Creek Apparel in Mount Airy, where he served for 55 years in positions including vice president of administration, secretary and treasurer, controller, and director.
In a 2003 interview, Beamer expressed pride at the fact that all the projects developed during his time as mayor came about without a property tax hike in 24 years. In fact, the city was able to generate a significant budget surplus in that time.
“He was a good, conservative mayor for the most part,” recalled former South Ward Commissioner Charles Lowry, 92, who served for 24 years on the council with Beamer from 1963 to 1987. At that point, “we still had a whole lot of money,” he said, noting that the city's budget surplus then was about $16 million.
Lowry said he also appreciated Maynard Beamer for more than just his governmental abilities: “He was my best friend.” He remembered seeing Beamer earlier this summer at the funeral of Lowry's son Frank, also a former city commissioner, and hardly recognizing him because he had lost so much weight from his illnesses.
Mayor Loftis said that Beamer set a great example for him to follow in the city's top governmental post.
“Maynard was just a level-headed, common-sense individual who always tried to look at both sides of a situation and do what he thought was right for the citizens of Mount Airy,” Loftis said. “He just set a standard that I look up to.”
“His role in government here was certainly a sacrifice of time and energy,” Loftis added. “If there has ever been a dedicated servant that was interested in the well-being of Mount Airy, it is Maynard Beamer.”
Even a former political opponent of Beamer's had kind words to say Tuesday about his contributions.
“Although we had some disagreements from time to time, Maynard was a good friend and a great teacher for me,” said Emily Taylor, a former commissioner during Beamer's tenure who also won two mayoral elections against him.
“He was a true public servant,” she said. “His heart was in it.”
And she said she appreciates the fact that in the years following their sometimes-bitter political clashes, “we got to be pretty good buddies.”
Commissioner King remembers that even if Beamer disagreed with the stand someone took on an issue, he still had a way of projecting respect for their position.
“I differed with him on a couple of things, but he would listen,” King said.
Beamer's qualities as a listener, and also a peacemaker, helped defuse many a tense situation over the years, former associates said.
“He brought a cohesiveness to a board that got things done even though there were differences of opinion,” Loftis said. “And progress was continually being made.”
Loftis said that city government is trying to help the former mayor's family get through its period of grief and that Beamer's service to the community will be recognized officially in some way by the Board of Commissioners.
But the present mayor wondered Tuesday whether that will be inadequate considering all Beamer gave, which also included years of service to local veterans and scouting organizations.
“How we can adequately express appreciation for all the contributions he made is going to be very, very difficult,” he said.
Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com, or at 719-1924.
Staff Reporter
As the longest-serving mayor in Mount Airy's history, W.M. “Maynard” Beamer's life truly defined what it meant to be a public servant, former associates said Tuesday.
Beamer, 88, died late Monday night at Northern Hospital of Surry County after battling numerous health problems.
He had stepped down as a North Ward commissioner in 2003, citing recent open-heart surgery and vision difficulties, after a 40-year career in city government.
“I've got a tremendous amount of respect for the contribution he made to the city of Mount Airy,” said current Mayor Jack Loftis. “He certainly set a standard that is very difficult for anybody to emulate.”
A memorial service for the longtime city official is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, where he was an active member. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour before the service.
Beamer, a lifelong resident of Mount Airy, became involved in city government in 1958, first as a commissioner. He became mayor on July 1, 1969, and served in that capacity for the next 24 years, followed by more service as a councilman before opting not to seek re-election in 2003. Present North Ward commissioner Swanson Richards then ran unopposed for his seat.
The Municipal Building on South Main Street, the city library on Rockford Street, two fire stations, water and sewer plants, and two industrial parks are among the physical examples of Beamer's legacy in the city.
Perhaps even more significant are the personal qualities Beamer exemplified that helped bring these and other projects to fruition, present and former officials said.
“We've lost a true public servant,” said At-Large Commissioner Mike King, who worked with Beamer. “I mean, he gave it his all.”
King pointed out that Beamer's honesty, professionalism, work ethic and fairness to people helped guide the city through many challenging times.
“He promoted it and he lived it,” King added of the former mayor's dedication to public service. “Even before I served with him, I looked up to him.”
Calling Beamer “a perfect gentleman,” King said, “I think his leadership spills across the years.”
Beamer was also remembered Tuesday for his financial expertise. It took root at National Business College in Roanoke, Va., where he received a degree in business administration in 1940.
Also a former member of the U.S. Navy during World War II, Beamer joined Quality Mills/Cross Creek Apparel in Mount Airy, where he served for 55 years in positions including vice president of administration, secretary and treasurer, controller, and director.
In a 2003 interview, Beamer expressed pride at the fact that all the projects developed during his time as mayor came about without a property tax hike in 24 years. In fact, the city was able to generate a significant budget surplus in that time.
“He was a good, conservative mayor for the most part,” recalled former South Ward Commissioner Charles Lowry, 92, who served for 24 years on the council with Beamer from 1963 to 1987. At that point, “we still had a whole lot of money,” he said, noting that the city's budget surplus then was about $16 million.
Lowry said he also appreciated Maynard Beamer for more than just his governmental abilities: “He was my best friend.” He remembered seeing Beamer earlier this summer at the funeral of Lowry's son Frank, also a former city commissioner, and hardly recognizing him because he had lost so much weight from his illnesses.
Mayor Loftis said that Beamer set a great example for him to follow in the city's top governmental post.
“Maynard was just a level-headed, common-sense individual who always tried to look at both sides of a situation and do what he thought was right for the citizens of Mount Airy,” Loftis said. “He just set a standard that I look up to.”
“His role in government here was certainly a sacrifice of time and energy,” Loftis added. “If there has ever been a dedicated servant that was interested in the well-being of Mount Airy, it is Maynard Beamer.”
Even a former political opponent of Beamer's had kind words to say Tuesday about his contributions.
“Although we had some disagreements from time to time, Maynard was a good friend and a great teacher for me,” said Emily Taylor, a former commissioner during Beamer's tenure who also won two mayoral elections against him.
“He was a true public servant,” she said. “His heart was in it.”
And she said she appreciates the fact that in the years following their sometimes-bitter political clashes, “we got to be pretty good buddies.”
Commissioner King remembers that even if Beamer disagreed with the stand someone took on an issue, he still had a way of projecting respect for their position.
“I differed with him on a couple of things, but he would listen,” King said.
Beamer's qualities as a listener, and also a peacemaker, helped defuse many a tense situation over the years, former associates said.
“He brought a cohesiveness to a board that got things done even though there were differences of opinion,” Loftis said. “And progress was continually being made.”
Loftis said that city government is trying to help the former mayor's family get through its period of grief and that Beamer's service to the community will be recognized officially in some way by the Board of Commissioners.
But the present mayor wondered Tuesday whether that will be inadequate considering all Beamer gave, which also included years of service to local veterans and scouting organizations.
“How we can adequately express appreciation for all the contributions he made is going to be very, very difficult,” he said.
Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com, or at 719-1924.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of mtairynews.com.
Marilyn Samet wrote on Sep 19, 2007 3:40 PM:
" I am saddened by the news of Maynard's passing, as a long time friend of the beamer family(and the Webbs) being here in Cary has not kept me from staying close in heart with those who have meant so much in my life. I look for the day when Mt Airy News and the (defunct) Mt Airy Times can be read through my membership in Newspaper Archives!(Statesville is already listed with them) "
