Cindy Jones: Silverton’s first citizen for 2016

By Kristine Thomas

If you want to know something about Silverton resident Cindy Jones, the best bet is to ask her anyone but her. Or you could attend an event such as Homer Davenport Days, a Rotary event or the ASAP concert to witness her eagerly lending a hand.
Laughing, Cindy admits she doesn’t like to talk about herself. Luckily, a few of her many friends are more than happy to share why Cindy Jones was named the 2016 Silverton Chamber of Commerce First Citizen.

“Cindy is well-deserving of this award,” her friend and fellow Rotarian Janet Dalisky said. “She is an amazing person. She is a very generous with her time and helping many organizations and individuals. Of course, she always does it with a big smile.”

Nominated by Kyle Palmer for her service to the Silverton Rotary Club, Silverton Health Foundation Board of Directors, city of Silverton Tourism Promotion Committee, and Silverton Parks and Recreation Task Force, the Homer Davenport Community and Silverton Strawberry festival committees along with volunteering at other places, Palmer said Cindy is one of “Silverton’s most selfless volunteers.”

“I can think of no person more deserving of consideration of Silverton’s next First Citizen,” Palmer wrote in the nomination letter. “She is always there whenever someone needs help and always will be. She never seeks recognition, and no doubt would not seek this award either, which is always a good measurement for me of who should be considered.”

Cindy, 61, moved to Silverton when she was 22 years old. Her husband, Morry, grew up in Silverton. They will have been married 40 years in August and have two sons, Morry Jones IV, 38, and Matthew Jones, 35, along with three granddaughters, a grandson and two daughter-in-laws.

When Cindy moved to Silverton, she didn’t know anyone, except her husband who she said is her “soul mate” and his family. By volunteering at her church and son’s preschool and meeting her neighbors, she quickly made friends. And those friends were shining examples of what it meant to serve their community, she said.

In good times and hard times, Cindy has seen many examples of how people work together to help one another.

“People pull together in this town and what may be a four-hour job takes an hour because people are willing to work together to get things done,” she said.

What makes her volunteer generously is an easy question for her to answer.

“I love this town,” she said. “My sons tease me because wherever we go I am always telling people about Silverton and encouraging them to visit or attend a community event.”

As the chief of staff for House Rep. Vic Gilliam, Cindy said it’s an honor to work with Gilliam, “a true statesman who knows how to work with both sides of the aisle.” She enjoys finding ways to assist people with their concerns.

Gilliam said one thing he has noticed about Cindy is her repeated gratitude to Silverton that allowed her and Morry to raise their two sons in an atmosphere of deep friendships and warmth of neighbors.

“She loves our community and our people and it shows every day as she reaches out to individuals and volunteers on multiple service organizations,” Gilliam said. “She is truly a model citizen and woman of character.”

Believing she gets more back than she gives, she encourages newcomers to Silverton and people who have lived here many years to get involved and volunteer at their church, school, a nonprofit agency or community events. “You have to give back in this life, especially if you have been blessed,” she said, “and even if you haven’t been blessed.”

Sue Roessler described Cindy as one of those amazing “behind the scenes” kind of people who is totally committed to getting the job done.

“But even more important, ensuring that the job is well done,” Roessler said. “She never wants her name mentioned or special recognition and yet she works tirelessly on tasks that most folks don’t even know about.”

Whether it is finding an extra hose for the dunk tank at Homer Davenport Days or researching the best program to use for on-line ticket purchases, Roessler said Cindy does whatever it takes to support the organiziers or the event itself.

“If Cindy Jones is involved, whatever she does, she will do with quality and with heart,” Roessler said. “Her attention to detail is a strength and she simply is the best and a great friend. Every committee, every service group, every event needs a Cindy Jones on its team.”

Honored by the award, Cindy said there are many people who deserve it, too. “Our community is strong in volunteers,” Cindy said.

“That’s why I love this town.”