Halverson was true gentleman who served city Stevens Point has lost another of its mayors, the second in a year. Gilbert "Gil" O. Halverson died Monday, Dec. 10, ironically about six months after Scott Schultz, the man he succeeded in the mayoral office. Halverson was born in Stevens Point and grew up here and attended Central State Teachers College (now the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point). After earning his degree, he left town to attend theological school to strengthen his faith and become a Lutheran minister, serving his church in other communities. He returned to Stevens Point in 1984 in his retirement years and became active in local government. In 1988 he was elected 10th Ward alderman by the Common Council to fill a vacancy, then re-elected by voters in 1990, 1992 and 1994. As an alderman, he was a member of the Plan Commission from 1989 through 1994, a position he was proud of. He then became chairman of the commission when elected mayor by the council after Schultz's resignation. Although he had been gone from the area for a number of years, he took to his job as alderman, usually walking every day around his ward on the city's south side. He was a south-side resident who tried to get Wisconsin Central Ltd. to reduce the use of train whistles in the neighborhood. His term as mayor was short, from July 1994 to April 1995, serving only in an interim capacity. That meant he didn't have the time to undertake memorable projects in the community. He still left a legacy. He was truly a gentleman, ready to listen. - Gene Kemmeter