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THE UTAH NEWSPAPER HALL OF FAME people and we're putting forth our best effort to give you people a good newspaper. We ask your cooperation in making it a success. " Pleasant Grove was in the path of rapid growth. Work had begun only a few months earlier on a huge new steel plant along Utah Lake not far west of the then-tiny community. Designed to meet wartime demands, the 143 buildings involved would be constructed at a cost of more than $200 million by 14 private companies employing, at peak level, over 10,000 people. When placed in operation, it required a labor force of 1,200. Along with a selected few other small towns throughout the nation, 'Pee-Gee' would face soaring population growth, instant prosperity and countless problems. Like its neighboring communities, Pleasant Grove needed many changes and improvements in order to cope with the influx of residents. The Review editorially supported various projects, most prominently much needed re-routing of business area streets and construction of a sewage system. Once peace returned, the Review became a champion of efforts to stimulate growth of not only Pleasant Grove but the entire Utah Valley. "A.B.'s" son-in-law, Jack Pace, had joined the staff in 1946, providing the publisher more time for participation in community affairs. In addition to giving editorial support, he was heavily involved in both the formation and the work of the Utah Valley Industrial Development Association and its counterpart Pleasant Grove Industrial Development group. UVIDA accorded its Special Achievement Award to "A.B.," who served a term as its president. And in the town which he now labelled 'home,1 he's commemorated by the A. B. Gibson Industrial Park, a tribute to his work in bringing new firms to the area. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce and was given life membership in the organization; was elected to the City Council and for 12 years served on the board of the State Historical Society as the appointee of three successive governors. Active in his church, he was a High Priest, a member of the High Council, and was in the Elder's Quorum as well as being a leader in the Boy Scout program. 529 |
