The Garland City Council is renaming one of its major facilities to honor Ron Jones, a three-term Mayor and prior to that, a leader of City staff for nearly three decades.
The Ronald E. Jones Municipal Building at 800 Main St. is home to the City’s permitting processes, its planners, engineers, transportation officials and others who are at the heart of Garland’s day-to-day operations. Prior to Council’s unanimous resolution at its Sept. 20 meeting, the facility was the Main Street Municipal Building.
Jones told the Council that the tribute cut through his trademark ability to be steadfast and hold things together.
“I began to get the inner nervousness that I’m not known for,” he said. “Garland has a good name, well-respected across the nation. The City Council is thought of highly. And for you to make a decision to place my name on one of the facilities that you govern and manage gives me great honor.”
Jones joined City staff in April 1977. He led 14 departments and rose to the ranks of Assistant City Manager, a post he held during his final five years as a Garland employee. He then retired to run for Mayor, winning three-way races in 2007 and 2009, taking more than 83% of the vote in his reelection bid. He was unopposed in 2011.
The Council proclamation reads “Garland has been enriched by Mayor Jones’ presence, contributions, leadership, and the immense body of work he has performed on the City’s behalf over the course of his career,” then lists the many civic and governmental organizations to which Jones has and continues to contribute.
Mayor Scott LeMay said a dedication ceremony will be held at a yet undetermined time. “We will probably have to close Main and Glenbrook down for the ceremony, for everyone that will want to come and share that with you,” he told Jones.