Dear Editor:
It didn't attract much attention, but last Friday marked an important passing when Melva Fast left employment with the City of Jefferson for other opportunities. You might ask "Who is Melva Fast?" That is understandable. For 20 years while others were getting the headlines, Melva was getting things done.
You wouldn't have to ask who Melva Fast is if you were among the families in the former Cedar City whose homes and lives were ravaged by the Flood of 1993. Melva was the humanity in a process that often seemed cold and bureaucratic, helping to negotiate the Byzantine procedures of local, state, and federal governments.
You wouldn't have to ask who Melva Fast is if you're involved in Habitat for Humanity or any of the myriad other organizations working with folks who need a helping hand from time to time. Those groups had a partner in local government with Melva at City Hall.
You wouldn't have to ask who Melva Fast is if you're committed to revitalizing the older, established neighborhoods in our community. Melva was among the first to recognize that reclaiming our past is essential to our future.
You wouldn't have to ask who Melva Fast is if you understand that part of our work today is preparing for tomorrow. Melva was often just a step ahead.
For 20 years Melva stood as a quiet rebuke to those who loudly deride local government as incapable of doing anything good. In the very best sense of the phrase, Melva Fast was a true public servant. We are all the better for it.
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