March 6, 2007

Leaving a legacy

Campbell says good-bye to its first lady at Jeanette Watson’s retirement dinner

Large turnout salutes groundbreaking female politician

By Carol Rosen
Staff Writer

More than 200 people crowded the Orchard City Banquet Hall to salute and say good-bye to Jeanette Watson.

Members of the Campbell City Council say goodbye to Jeanette Watson. Pictured from the left are Mayor Dan Furtado, Don Burr, Jane Kennedy, Evan Low and Watson. Just behind Watson is Joe Hernandez. Photo by Alan Fletcher

Campbell’s first lady remained serene and smiling throughout the evening although there were tears shed, and stories filled with laughter and sadness that after 23 years and five terms, Watson was retiring from the city council bringing her illustrious career to a close after years of service to the city she calls home. She is moving to Arizona to be near her daughter.

From the beginning of the evening, which found her greeting her guests, to her speech at the end, where she thanked everyone, but especially the people she worked with “who made it so hard to leave office,” it was a “tribute to a great lady.”

Recognized as the city’s first lady, Watson accomplished many things throughout her career, even before she ran for city council. A Campbell native, she grew up on a ranch, which is now part of the Campbell downtown area. Her father’s family has lived in the area since the 1800s.

She began working for the city as a volunteer at the Campbell Historical Museum, which she helped establish. During an interview for the Campbell Times in 2006, Watson expressed pride in the museum, which has developed “into probably one of the finest small city museums you will find anywhere.”

While volunteering at the museum, she was asked to serve on a bond issue committee for the library and the city hall building. She then became chair of the Campbell Citizens for Beautification through the city council. She became the first chair of the Civic Improvement Commission in 1972 and, after becoming involved in the Chamber of Commerce, she became the first woman to serve as its president. She also wrote the city’s first history book, “Campbell,” which was published in 1989.

City Council woman Jane Kennedy pins a corsage on to Jeanette Watson prior to the retirement dinner held in her honor. Photo by Alan Fletcher

From there, it was not too big of a step to take on the city council. “After that I was approached by people in the community and took the logical step to run for the city council in 1985. I was the first woman on the city council.” She held that position, and five terms as the city’s mayor, until she announced her retirement last year.

It was Watson who founded the fundraising group that provided the money to remodel the Heritage Theatre and who ensured the move and restoration of the Ainsley House, a historical landmark for the city.

She calls the Ainsley House, “ a national treasure. I’m pleased that we were able to preserve an important community building.” Many of the people at the dinner recalled seeing the Ainsley House rolling down Hamilton Avenue to its present home.

During the three and a half hour dinner Watson received a number of commendations, plaques and gifts. The dinner was attended by many of the political stars of Santa Clara County including Assembly Members Joe Simitian and Jim Beall, County Supervisor Ken Yeager, Santa Clara Mayor Pat Mahon, the Campbell City Council and officials from the Chamber of Commerce as well as other political connections, friends and many members of her family, including her children and her sister Joyce Nola—who sang the song “Orchard City Green” that used to greet callers on Watson’s home answering machine. Watson’s husband, Courtland Watson, passed away in 1991.

However, Watson said she could not take all of the credit. “Our city is very fortunate,” she said. “We have many dedicated people working on the council, good city managers and an excellent staff that has helped us make things work.”

She received commendations not just from the city of Campbell, but also from the county, the Santa Clara County Cities Association, the Campbell Country Women’s Club, the Campbell Chamber of Commerce and the state assembly. She also received thanks from the city. Among her gifts was a specially designed pendant with a gold city of Campbell symbol surrounded by diamonds. The gift came from all of those attending the dinner.

Joe Simitian presents a state assembly commendation to former mayor and city council member Jeanette Watson. A picture of a much younger Watson is in the bottom left foreground. Photo by Carol Rosen

The dinner was filled with laughter and tears as well as a number of funny stories. For example, Joe Simitian said he was only “a recent acquaintance. I’ve only known her for 20 years. But I want to point out that she’s lasted longer than [former presidents] Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush the elder, Clinton and Bush the younger.”

Other speakers recalled Watson as Citizen of the Year and described her “unflagging energy” that has impressed everyone.

Once the presentations were finished there was some comedy by Campbell’s version of the Smothers Brothers. Steve Conway, who previously worked for Campbell and now is director of finance for Los Gatos, and Bob Kass, Campbell’s public works director who kept the audience laughing with a Campbell version of the folk singing team.

There was even a video, which showed scenes from a number of movies—both home made and professional—of Jeanette’s life, her work for the city and her family. All in all it was a special evening for a special lady.