UNSUNG HEROES 2023
As Dezarn ’ s term on London Tourism Commission ended in November , his colleagues honored him by naming a trail head in Whitley Branch Veterans Park in his honor . Shown here is Parks / Recreation Director Mackey Williams unveiling the sign . | Photo by Nita Johnson
the entire city . Under his direction , and with immaculate budgeting , Dezarn and city leaders were able to upgrade the Sanitation Department and improve living conditions once again for residents of the city .
Although he left the City ’ s Public Works Department after 9 years , Dezarn still couldn ’ t just sit back and be idle . In 2002 , he ran for city council again - and was elected , serving another 8 years .
“ I was on city council again from 2002 until 2010 ,” he said . “ I also served on the city ’ s Planning and Zoning board from 2010 to 2013 .”
There were many changes and achievements during his tenure on the city council for the next 8 years . Dezarn served 10 years on
Page 8 the board of the homeless shelter that was also established during his time on city council - yet another need in the area that leaders advocated . The city continued to expand , businesses located in the area and the future looked bright . Dezarn ’ s term ended in 2010 and he did not seek re-election .
But Dezarn ’ s passion for serving and helping people , coupled with his extensive knowledge of budgets and operations didn ’ t leave him sitting at home unoccupied for very long .
Dezarn was one of the first board members appointed to the London City Tourism Commission when it was formed in 2013 . He remained on that commission until his term expired in November 2022 and he was not re-appointed .
Dezarn said he was initially leery of becoming involved with the tourism commission . But ironically enough , a city council member - who had renounced the new 3 % restaurant tax to establish the tourism commission - encouraged Dezarn to become involved .
“ We went in and I put the budget together - I had experience because that ’ s what I did at the phone company and Sanitation Department ,” he explained .
He enjoyed working on the tourism board because he said the other board members were on the same wave length as his own desires .
“ All that we moved on was a good idea . I ’ m proud to be part of a group that thought the same way I did ,” he added .
Although he is not currently involved with any boards or commissions , Dezarn still has great hopes for the community . He advocates annexation to help the city grow , as long as the infrastructure can support that growth .
“ I think if people want in the city , we need to make sure we have the facilities to do that in order to make it affordable ,” he said . “ The city has services that people want but growth needs to be affordable for the services .”
He also has concerns over the future of the London Community Center .
“ We need a community center . There are a lot of people who use it . if we have to build a new one , I hope it will seat 5,000 ,” he said . “ It ’ s always good to bring people into and in the city .”
Dezarn said serving the public is what he enjoyed the most .
“ People have always been nice to me ,” he said . “ In the community , I enjoyed what I was doing .”