No: 37
Date: 3/1/1988
Name: Mayor Bernie Simon
In the drawing, Mayor Simon is marching toward the river, ending with a foot planted in a lake, which would later become part of Heartland of America Park, part of the riverfront development project. Building blocks in his hand spell out "Omaha" showing how new buildings would become part of the riverfront project. Simon commented during the evening of his unveiling that he had lost hair two or three times from radiation therapy for brain tumors believed to be cancerous and thought he would "look like hell" in the Face drawing. But he told about 125 well-wishers at the unveiling that he was pleased with his likeness. Also that evening, Bill Kelly, then a WOWT reporter, presented the mayor with a proclamation on behalf of City Hall reporters. Simon was serenaded by Paul Tranisi with a song from the 1987 Press Club Show that went: "Here am I, Bernie Simon. I'm mayor of the city. I've finally reached my destiny. Here am I, Bernie Simon. I was once a lineman. For Bell Telephone Company." Mayor of Omaha, 1987-88, he died in office in 1988.  Back to Top