James “Jim” Damascus, a former mayor of Flower Hill from 1998 to 2005, died on Dec. 23, 2022, at 74, Mayor Randall Rosenbaum said.
Rosenbaum announced the news at the start of the village’s monthly trustee meeting. A moment of silence was observed and remarks were also made on Damascus’ time in Flower Hill.
“Thank you, Jim Damascus, for everything you did in serving the village,” said Rosenbaum.
Damascus was born on Feb. 18, 1948. He was a trustee from 1996 to 1998 before becoming mayor.
Damascus presided over a review and fortification of the village’s code in 2000, Rosenbaum said, which had not been done since possibly 1936. He also oversaw the expansion of the Village Hall’s new conference room and the modernization of the building’s interior.
“Jim was very wise in the way [the village] changed the code in having to deal with permit fees where we were able to bring in a very large amount of money,” said Rosenbaum. “Which was subsequently used for what we’re sitting in right here, right now.”
The village updated the meeting room with new technology and furnishings. Outside, they installed an Americans with Disabilities Act-approved lift and expanded the garage to protect village maintenance vehicles.
Flower Hill’s next trustee meeting is on Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Village Hall.
