Jim Hanson Is Batavia's 2013 Citizen of the Year

A “gentleman of tremendous grace and dignity” was named the 2013 Batavia Citizen of the year today.

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will honor James (Jim) Hanson on Friday, Jan. 31 at the Chamber’s “Inspire 2014: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us!” annual awards event. Mayor Jeffery D. Schielke describes Hanson as “a caregiver of Batavia on so many fronts and a phenomenally positive force.”

Jim Hanson considers himself a life-long Batavian, despite his sojourns to other towns and states for college and teaching positions. The 88-year-old describes himself as “quiet and reserved,” while Schielke calls him “one of the moving forces” when Batavia’s downtown was redeveloped in the 1960s.

Elected as an alderman in 1961, Hanson also served as the chair of what at that time was known as the planning, zoning, and annexation committee. During his 16-year tenure, downtown’s Batavia Plaza came into being, and land was acquired north of Wilson Street for additional downtown redevelopment. This area now includes Fifth Third Bank and neighboring businesses.

Further land annexations resulted in the northeast side industrial park, as well as major subdivisions on both the east and west sides of Batavia.

“Jim worked diligently to not only develop Batavia, but also was the conscious of the council,” says Schielke.

Schielke referenced Hanson’s work to pass an open housing ordinance. During the late '60s, heated discussions about discrimination in housing bubbled to the surface. At this time, U.S. Atomic Nuclear Commission officials planning to build a “smasher” east of Kirk Road, pressured Batavia about fair housing. Hanson says that this is a highlight of his career as a council member.

“One of the most important things I worked on was the open housing ordinance to fight discrimination and segregation,” says Hanson. “It needed to have teeth for enforcement.”

Besides his long-term involvement in Batavia’s government, an avid group of supporters notes that Hanson’s work with the Batavia Historical Society, the Calvary Episcopal Church, the Interfaith Food Pantry, R.S.V.P., and Meals on Wheels are worthy accomplishments as well.

Thirty years ago, the Muslim community was looking for a place to meet. Hanson approached the Calvary Church to allow the group to use the facility. An idea embraced by both groups, the Muslim community continues to gather at Calvary to this day.

“He is so deserving,” says Carla Hill, director of the Batavia Depot Museum. “When I came to the museum in 1976, Jim was already here; dedicated, smiling, and always volunteering.”

Hanson still volunteers at least once a month at the Depot Museum and is the longtime historian for Calvary Church. Besides calling him a man of dignity, Daniel Hoefler wrote in his nomination letter “Jim is a treasure to our community.”

“At many critical periods in Batavia’s history, Jim was there providing leadership and council,” explains Hoefler. “As more social services were needed, Jim was at hand helping to start them.” Hanson counts his help at the various social service agencies as “one of the things I felt the best about; it was satisfying.”

He resigned from the board for RSVP just last spring. It was during one of Hanson’s out-of Batavia stints in Bartow, FL, as an English and history teacher that he met the love of his life, Dorothy (Dot) Watson. The couple will celebrate their 60th anniversary on Dec. 27.

In 1955, they moved (back) to Batavia. At this time, Jim took a position as a junior high school history and math teacher at West Aurora School District #129. Much later in his education career, Hanson served three terms as the Kane County Regional School Superintendent.

After renting in Batavia for one year, the Hansons purchased the house next to his father on Illinois Avenue, where they raised two boys. Currently, eldest son John and his wife Barbara (a Batavia native) live in Texas. Mark lives in New York. There are four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren in the Hanson family.

When asked about his favorite thing regarding Batavia, Hanson says that even as it has grown, Batavia still has a small town feel, where “people talk to each other.” An interesting statement coming from a person who says he doesn’t talk much.

“Well, you must have someone to listen,” quipped Hanson. “You don’t want people walking around town talking to nobody.” Indeed. Fortunately for Batavians, it appears Jim Hanson listened a lot during his service to Batavia, and then set about making certain it happened. The Batavia Citizen of the Year is selected by a committee of previous recipients of the award and is based on nominations from the community. The award is given for extraordinary contributions to the community over the course of the recipient’s lifetime. 

Batavia’s Citizen of the Year is honored at the annual awards event for the Batavia Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s event, Inspire 2014: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us!, will be held on Jan. 31, 2014 in the Commons Auditorium at The Holmstad, 700 W. Fabyan Parkway in Batavia. For ticket information, register online at www.BataviaChamber.org or contact the Chamber at (630) 879-7134.


SOURCE: Batavia Chamber of Commerce