Nominated by Lynn Watters, Carl Pierce & Charles J. Wood
Nominated by Lynn Watters
I would like to nominate my husband, LeRoy James Watters 3rd for the “Unsung Hero” award.
Being a "First Born", Jimmy feels it is his duty to take care of everyone else including Mother Nature.
Jim is never too busy to lend a hand to a neighbor, and all of the Norristown area is his neighbor since he grew up here and worked on the streets of Norristown for 36 years with the phone company.
Even in retirement he cannot help but have the safety of the people in mind. As he drives down the street he is constantly aware of any dangerous conditions on the streets of Norristown which he is continually reporting to the proper authorities to get them repaired before they cause a hazard to public safety. Most recently he discovered that the reason for the flooding on Sterigere Street was caused by the roots of a tree clogging the pipe that was preventing the water from draining off the street, which he reported to Norristown.
We volunteer through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program at NASD and teach our students how to keep our drinking water clean, mostly by not throwing trash in the streets. Right now he has their posters on “Recycling” prominently displayed in the multi-use parking garage windows at Cherry & Main Streets in Norristown.
Jim has danced in the Nutcracker ballet with the Valley Forge Dance Theater for 25 years. He loves watching the children grow from dancing mice to marching soldiers to beautiful ballerinas. We also line dances at the Senior Adult Activities Center on George Street in Norristown where the people are truly entertained watching his antics.
Jim is just the kindest most caring person I know. He always has a smile and a kind word, sometimes many words. He solves problems by logical arguments not by cursing and screaming. He tries to make friends, even with possible enemies, although his military training gives him the confidence to interact with anyone at anytime.
Jim is the most outgoing person I have ever met and EVERYONE in the area knows that he is the man to call if there is a problem whether it is with the water in the river, or how to fix a lawn mower, or how to identify an unusual plant. He can cook a fine meal and rebuild a classic car. He understands the human body, mind, and also the heart. He is the smartest man I have ever known. I think he should have an honorary degree for his life knowledge.
Nominated by Carl Pierce
Jim works for the good of everyone. He cares about storm drains, teaches kids about the trash in them, what that trash does to the wildlife, recycling, bullying. He cares about Norristown, Montgomery County and about people in Africa, England, everywhere. Jim never takes anything for himself, he just will tell you, it needs to be done and he will do it. He attends community meetings, speaks up in a concerned way that brings about change for everyone, not himself. He has taken time to help me make contact with people that can help address the issue of bullying in Norristown and Montgomery County. Jim just cares from his heart and that is rare. I therefore with honor put Jim Waters forth to you.
Thank you, Carl
Nominated by Charles J. Wood, President - Stony Creek Anglers
I have known Jim Watters III for 30 years. What a voice he is for the Schuylkill River and the environment. Jim’s Nick Name is “Muddy Watters”. He loves to stir things up and apply pressure. He has a vast library of letters, photo’s, videos, newspaper articles and (as always) statistics. When I’m at a meting and Jim walks in you can hear a pin drop and watch people’s body language as the start to look frightened and scared.
Jim has single handedly corrected many sewage issues, pollution issues, litter issues, aquatic plants and invasive loose strife and common duck weed plume. He has started programs to mark, every sewer & storm drain in Norristown with
environmental messages of the consequences.
He built a barge equipped with a boom for removing large tires and other items from the Schuylkill channel. He has hosted many youth fishing events, catfish tournaments and educational class’s right at his home at #1 East Indian Lane. Jim is always the teacher and always a wealth of information at grade schools, high schools & colleges.
Jim has been a major player in the Annual Stony Creek Clean Up which is going on its 25th year. Jim is always a contributor on issues and his “Letters to the Editor” & 2 cents get printed quite a few times each year. He is our greatest weapon on clean drinking water from the Schuylkill River. He pushed for the dredging of the river. Because of low water we lost an excellent event as the Port Indian Regatta died. At Christmas time Jim always lights the Port Indian Bridge with lights and pays the bill. He also is a dancer for a few decades in the famous Valley Forge Theaters production of the Nut Cracker. We believe Jim’s countless hours of dedicated service to the safety and well being of many make him an excellent candidate for an un-sung hero’s award. Speaking for all of our members - Please give him some serious thought on this matter.
Charles J. Wood, President - Stony Creek Anglers
