FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

I had the pleasure to attend the Mayor's work session on September 24. It was a very enjoyable and informative event, then cam the time to present the details about the clock tower for Old Town. The presentation was quite well done and would have been fine but for the fact that the Council was staring at this model like a heard of deer in high beams. I was surprised since this project is over a decade old. The looks on their faces and the objections they shared should have been enough to send this idea to its just reward. When questioned by members of the audience the Council members suddenly voiced total support for the project and were soon in lock step.

The project, to place a 65 foot clock and bell tower on the corner of Summit and Main seems a bit off the mark. This edifice would be placed on a postage stamp size location next to a plaza for all of our citizens to enjoy. The word plaza normally emotes the image of some grand place where citizens gather to enjoy the life of the city. This 'plaza' is hardly big enough on which to play street hockey. Where better to bring the wife and kids to relax...right next to the train tracks?

You want a clock tower and carillon? Then place it on the ground of City Hall along Summit so we can see it at a distance horizontally not just vertically. Better yet just donate the $1.4 mil plus to Wells-Robertson House. They seem to have the proper focus as to how to put our funds to better use.