RON SHORT HONORED WITH 2012 RUTH BYRNE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD

Mayor Scruggs presented the Ruth Byrne Historic Preservation Award to Ron Short for his dedication to the preservation of Glendale’s historic heritage at a recent Glendale City Council meeting.    

The Ruth Byrne Historic Preservation Award is presented on an annual basis to individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to historic preservation activities in Glendale. The award is named after Ruth Byrne, a long-time Glendale resident, who has worked tirelessly for many decades to support and further the preservation of Glendale’s history.  

The Historic Preservation Commission selected Ron from among four nominees, all of whom have made outstanding contributions to Glendale’s historic heritage.

Since his retirement from the city of Glendale in 2010, Ron has emerged as an influential advocate for historic preservation in the private sector.  In his current role as Vice President of the Glendale Arizona Historical Society, Ron has been an instrumental part of a very dedicated group of people who educate and promote Glendale’s heritage.

Ron actively volunteers for the Historical Society’s “Wedding Belles,” which is the name for a group of individuals that help facilitate the rose garden weddings performed at Sahuaro Ranch Park.  He organizes monthly meetings and programs for the society at historic sites such as the Glendale High School Auditorium, the C.L. Tinker House, the Beet Sugar Factory, and the Thunderbird Air Control Tower.

Recognizing the value of keeping Glendale’s history alive, Ron volunteered to write historic preservation articles for the Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors Newsletter.  He also prepared a Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors grant application on behalf of the Glendale Arizona Historical Society for a bronze interpretative plaque for the Messinger House. The V. E. Messinger House was built in 1895 and is the home of The Spicery restaurant. Ron was instrumental in obtaining funding through another Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors grant application on behalf of the Glendale Arizona Historical Society for procuring historic district metal street signs for the Thunderbird Estates/McDonald Addition, which is an Historic District that has  given enormous aesthetic value to the community.

He also serves as an active member of the Arizona Preservation Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes statewide historic preservation.  The foundation is dedicated to preserving Arizona's historical, archaeological, architectural and cultural resources.  Through this organization and the Glendale Arizona Historical Society, Ron is a participating member of the Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference.

“Ron has gained the admiration and respect of the community through his tireless commitment to historic preservation,” said Glendale Planning Director Jon Froke.   “By sharing his knowledge, time and expertise, Ron has made his mark as a true champion of historic preservation.”