Area officials recall Ford fondly
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER.

THE LEADER Gerald Ford waves as he leaves the former Davenport Library in Bath in 1998.

BATH — Local, state and national political leaders Wednesday remembered the late President Gerald Ford as a regular guy in an extraordinary situation who healed a nation shattered by the Vietnam War and Watergate scandals.

“He provided immense comfort to the country in a time reeling from Watergate and the Vietnam War,” said state Sen. George Winner, RElmira. That comfort came out of Ford’s essential decency, according to retired Republican U.S. Rep. Amory Houghton Jr.

Houghton was a delegate to the 1976 Republican Convention, during which Ford held off a challenge from then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan for the party’s endorsement.

“I thought he was a terrific guy,” Houghton said. “Solid, decent, believable, trusting guy. And he didn’t have any preconceived idea about himself. He just engendered trust, is what he did.”

Houghton said Ford was politically aware enough to know his pardon of ex-

President Richard Nixon could backfire.

“But I think he did the right thing, it would have just gone on and on and on,” Houghton said.

Steuben County Legislature Chairman Philip Roche said he watched the Watergate hearings, which prompted Nixon to resign instead of facing possible impeachment.

Ford became president when Nixon left office on Aug. 9, 1974.

The controversial pardon was important to the country, Roche said.

“He really did start the process of healing,” Roche said. “He made a real contribution to the nation. Without him, and the way he did it, the transition would have been much different.”

Local leaders said Ford, the former House minority leader in the House before being appointed vice president, was known for his ability to work well with both parties and his common touch.

“Ford was just an average guy,” said Hornell Mayor Democrat Shawn Hogan. “He worked hard and he really believed in what he was doing. He was thrown into a tough situation. But you know, he was old-school honest. I think that will be his legacy, that and the fact he was great, caring individual.”

Online tributes to Ford may be posted at www.dignity memorial.com