Starting off the New Year with Central City Council new business
By David Josselyn
Work Session – Council met with Staff for a work session prior to the regular meeting. The topics of discussion were a historic plaque and a future marketing plan. The historic plaque in question used to sit on the section of sidewalk at the south end of Scarlett’s facing Main Street; otherwise known as “the bubble.” The sign has been damaged by both weather and vehicular mishaps and Staff wishes to replace it. Director Ray Rears commented that there have also been some questions to the factual accuracy of the plaque, and they would like to revise the language for accuracy. Staff presented Council with several ideas for locations for the replacement that might have more visibility and less likely to be damaged. Alderwoman Laratta commented she has seen, “jillions (sic) of people reading it, jillions,” referring to original location. Alderman Hidahl suggested using the wall of Scarlett’s since they own the wall at the moment and don’t need permission. Mayor Fey stated he believes people will find it on the wall and people will read it, but it should not be the end of development on the bubble. “We’ve done a good job protecting the gas, but we need to protect the people, too,” said Fey and followed by suggesting bollards to prevent wayward vehicles from injuring bystanders. Alderman Hidahl had several corrections to the facts stated on the plaque and Council asked Staff for a Microsoft Word Document of the language so that they can supply corrections and suggestions. Hidahl pointed out the section starting “Legend has it..” as an example of taking liberties with fact and suggested an alternative involving the shooting of a man more than 30 times, but the shooter was found not guilty because nobody liked the victim.
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