Author: Jason Bush
I was able to get a letter off to Ed McMahon, Vice President of Lane County’s Home Builders Association so that he can in turn send it off to the membership. I’m not sure if it got to him in time for this past Monday, but if not it will go out on the 22nd. We really appreciate Ed’s support on this most important project!
Cameron with the Mighty KNND AM 1400, our hometown radio station, allowed me to give a brief update on the status of our project this morning. He has been very supportive, and it is greatly appreciated.
Blue Star Gas, Manager, Michael Hurst, and Service Technician Ewing Jenks met me, the Southmayds, and Brent Taylor of Taylor’s Restaurant Equipment at the building site today to start some preliminary coordination of the LPG system, so that everyone is on the same page. Ewing will be providing an overlay on our plans with this information. Brothers Plumbing and Superior Electric were unable to attend the meeting, so when I receive the LPG plan, I will meet with them to clarify that it all works for them as well.
When taking on a project of this nature, it should be understood that it does not come with a 9-5 job or warrant a paycheck. The gratification is the paycheck and I feel like I have been grossly overpaid. However, you do not get up in the morning, leisurely mulling over and wondering what you’re going to do, whether it’s Monday, hump day, or Gods Day on Sunday. There is simply no time for that, as I have learned that taking on something of this nature is a daunting task that absorbs almost every free moment you think you have, and directs your whole being to a certain extent. Communication and acknowledgement is of the upmost importance, and it would greatly relieve a huge portion of stress and anxiety to get responses from the wonderful companies that I am trying to contact and coordinate materials with. Not hearing back from folks leaves a huge whole in the decision-making process. For instance, there are a couple companies, that for some reason have not got back to me after negotiating materials. I have sent 3 or 4 follow up emails over the course of 4-6 weeks with no response, so I do not where to go from there, other than to start all over for those products.
I know we’re all extremely busy with our own careers, family, and everyday life—as crazy as it has become, and I do not wish or expect anyone to overextend themselves; however, I do want to thank each and every one of you again, because this project would not be possible without you.
Lastly, I wanted to include specifically how veteran Jayson Southmayd was able to contact me back in July. Jerry Luke, Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Creswell, prepared the following statement for me to share with you.
Hey Jason,
I had been working for the City of Creswell for the past 3 years when I got a call around 1:30 in the afternoon. The person on the phone was in need of some direction on what to do concerning the circumstances that they were in, they were over their heads and desperate for answers.
The caller identified himself as Jayson, a combat Veteran with a wife and 2 children. He then proceeded to tell of his ordeal with his house disaster and contractor problems that left them on the brink of homelessness. As he told his story I was able to hear between the lines that this was a man, a husband, a father and soldier that was taking one last chance to reach out for answers. By the time Jayson was finished, we were both in tears. After unsuccessfully gathering my composure, I assured him that what had happened was no fault of his whatsoever and that He needed to tell his story to our local Building official, Jason Bush. I had not met Jason Bush but heard that he was not your average government official.
I gave Jayson, Jason Bush’s cell number and told him that I was glad that he called me, thanked him for his service to our country and that he was not to worry but that it would all work out and that he and his family would be OK. We said our goodbye’s and hung up and I prayed for them.
It was a few months later that I was in the copy room at work and saw a front-page article in our local newspaper. It was reported that Jason Bush, Building Official, was spearheading a total home restoration for Jayson Southmayd and his family. Tears again fell on the newspaper as I read what had happened.
Today I am a part of the support group for the Southmayd family and also our not so average building official Jason Bush.
All of our lives have changed for the better, because we dared to care!
Best Regards,
Jerry D. Luke
Code Enforcement
Cross Connection Specialist
City of Creswell
541-895-2531 ex325
Thank you Jerry for the touching story of how this all started.
Yours in Building Safety, “and” Guarding Our Veterans,
Jason Bush, CBO
Building Official
