Mayor’s Tragedy Inspires ‘Life’ Theme

Burnie Dunlap

After losing his wife last year to cancer, Mayor Burnie Dunlap said, he chose “Celebrate Life!” as the city’s theme for 1996. His aim, he said, is to inspire residents to appreciate nature, loved ones and each other.

“Being here is not an entitlement, it’s a gift,” Dunlap said during a speech to the City Council on Tuesday in which he outlined the city’s theme and goals for this year. “You never know when that gift will be gone or when it will change.”

The 20-minute speech was largely philosophical, with Dunlap drawing from personal experiences, including the death of his 21-year-old daughter, Jennifer, in 1994 and of his wife, Jacque, last year.

“Never take for granted those around you and those you love,” he said.

Dunlap urged residents to contribute to the community through schools, churches and civic organizations, and to take pleasure in small deeds of kindness.

“There are times when it’s awkward, but if you can radiate the fact that life is a celebration, it changes your life and the lives of others,” the mayor said.

Dunlap also discussed the city’s goals for this year and offered the slogan: “Let’s finish what we started.”

“We have 28 [projects] to complete in January, February and March,” he said.