Ron Beach is the perfect neighbor. He keeps his property nice and tidy, his home clean and neat, and he is always looking for ways to help others. For all of these reasons and more, Beach has received the city's Good Neighbor Award for his SCERA Park North neighborhood.

Under the auspices of Orem's Neighborhoods in Action committee, the newly created Good Neighbor Award is meant to honor the resident who goes about making life in his or her neighborhood a little bit better.

According to Joyce Johnson, director of the Neighborhoods in Action, the idea started about three years ago in the Geneva Heights neighborhood. During their annual picnic and cleanup, the neighborhood selected an individual to receive a good neighbor award.

"We thought this would be a great idea for the whole city," Johnson said. "It's to recognize the unsung, quiet, good neighbor that never really is recognized."

Beach fits that description perfectly. He has lived at his current address since 1976. He is a single, never-been-married retiree content to live in the center of an extremely family-oriented neighborhood.

"I was raised by wonderful parents who from an early age taught me to deal with all people the same," Beach said. "Orem is a great place to be. I wake up every morning saying how blessed I am."

Paul Overson, chairman of Beach's neighborhood committee, said there was no question as to who should get the first award.

"I see him out helping people all the time," Overson said. "If anybody needs help, he volunteers and doesn't complain. People tell me he is the most terrific neighbor."

Marla Memmott's neighbors feel that same way about her. Memmott has lived in her Suncrest neighborhood for the past 20 years. She is a retired school teacher, and with her only child living in far-off Wisconsin, she finds the time to help others.

"I love to help with gardens," Memmott said. "I fix a lot of broken things. I get phone calls [from home-bound neighbors] asking if I can come change the laundry over."

Garren Echols, Memmott's neighborhood chairman, said that when the city announced the new program the first person he thought of was Memmott.

"Everybody I went to, which was about 10 people, gave me her name," Echols said. "There are a number of people that could receive this award, but Marla is the first."

Beach and Memmott have one thing in common. They feel they don't deserve the attention and are humble about the recognition.

"I am hesitant," Beach said. "There are many people in this neighborhood deserving of this award."

The only major consequence for the award, according to Overson, is that current Good Neighbor recipients will get to help pick the new honoree.

Memmott said, "I'm stunned. I don't feel very deserving at all."

The city's new program will honor one person a month from each of the 21 neighborhoods in the city. They will have a "Good Neighbor" sign in their front yard for the month until the next good neighbor is selected. Those receiving the recognition also will receive a certificate, Johnson said.

Cynthia Manire, co-chairwoman of the Suncrest neighborhood, says she is thrilled to have this program started throughout the city.

"I think it's late in coming," she said. "We should have been doing this a long time ago. People that care are priceless. That's what it's all about."

For information about the Good Neighbor Award program or to nominate someone from your area, visit the Orem city Web site at www.orem.org, and click on the Neighborhoods in Action link or check with your neighborhood chairman.

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