Students, aldermen have different plans for memorial
If you go
What: Lake Geneva City Council meeting to discuss the veterans memorial project proposed by a group of Badger High School students.
When: 7 p.m. Monday.
Where: Lake Geneva City Hall, 626 Geneva St., Lake Geneva.
Photo
This is a picture of the existing veterans memorial in Library Park in Lake Geneva. A group of seniors at Badger High School are proposing to renovate it for their class project.
LAKE GENEVA — The existing veterans memorial is in disrepair.
The headstone is dirty. Bushes are overgrown. The flowers are dead.
It goes unnoticed in the middle of Library Park.
A group of Badger High School students has been working on plans to renovate the memorial, but the Lake Geneva City Council has sent the students back to the drawing board several times.
The students originally proposed a memorial with the existing headstone, three flags and a brick plaza. They also wanted paths to make the memorial accessible from the lakeshore path and sidewalk.
The city council nixed those plans because it believed the paths would segment the park.
The students then proposed moving the memorial closer to the lake to eliminate the need for paths.
The city council nixed those plans, too. Several aldermen said the memorial would obstruct the view of the lake.
The students were asked to come up with six more drawings that show the memorial with varying degrees of décor, from adding as little as a few plants to adding as much as the three flags and brick path.
The city council will consider the students' third proposal Monday night.
The students, members of the senior leadership class that selects a class community service project, say they are frustrated.
"(The council is) running around all these different ideas—'what if,' 'what if,'—and we don't have time to deal with what ifs," said student Mikki Smoller.
The students have been working on the project since November and would like to have the memorial complete by May, just before school lets out for the summer.
The students already have raised more than $12,000 toward the project, which is estimated to cost about $16,000. They also have placed orders for materials with local businesses.
If the city council remains critical of the students' latest proposals, the memorial could again fall by the wayside.
"We're worried we might not have time (to complete the project)," said student Bailey Strom.
Alderman Gary Dunham said the council has sent the students back to the drawing board several times to ensure the memorial is done right.
"I think what we're looking for is options and alternatives to try and keep the monument as simple and reverent as possible," he said.
Alderwoman Penny Roehrer said moving the memorial closer to the lakeshore path, where tourists often spend summer afternoons strolling, would be a detriment.
"I feel a memorial should be a quiet, serene place," she said. "I feel if it remains where it is, farther up the hill … that it's much better done there."
Alderwoman Mary Jo Fesenmaier said at the April 13 council meeting that the students should consider minimal renovations to the memorial.
"Less is more," she said. "It should be a quiet spot deserving quiet attention."
Smoller and Strom said the senior leadership group still would like to place the headstone on a semi-circular retaining wall, erect three flags and surround the memorial with a brick plaza.
Although they're now willing to make concessions, the students believe their earlier proposals not only improved the neglected memorial but made it a place where local people would be proud to reflect on the contributions of local veterans.
"We were under the impression we were doing it right," Smoller said.
"We were under the impression it was our project," Strom said.
The students said no matter what, they've made people aware the memorial is there.
"Just the fact that we've called attention to the memorial does something," Strom said. "Anything that gets it more visible …"
"Would be an improvement," Smoller continued.
"It lets people know it's actually there," Strom said.
Apr 26, 2009 at 12:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Apparently has been neglected? Go drive down there and see how bad it looks. If you want our parks to look beautiful, then something, besides cleaning it up a little, needs to be done. You obviously have no clue what it means to be a Veteran, or how to honor them. Library park is the perfect place for this monument, it is high profile, and unlike the baseball field where the helicopter is at, it is viewed by many people. Loss of green space??? Look at some of the $500,000 plus drawings of Flat Iron Park if you want to see loss of green space.
Apr 24, 2009 at 9:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
someoneme: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!! You are one of the many reasons these students need to be supported! They recognize what you and the countless other vets have done for us! You and your fellow vets are the inspirations we all need to have! I know I love you all!
Apr 24, 2009 at 8:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
Just a question? What is more important, a view of the lake being blocked maybe in one spot? Or the chance to reflect on a vet maybe even one that gave his or her life for this country. Oh yes I am a vet. These kids are doing a good thing that the city should have already done. I wish more people where like this.
Apr 24, 2009 at 2:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
Lake Geneva has a very nice park east of town honoring vets. If you have not been there take a look. There is a Vietnam vintage helicopter on display. Maybe the students should be looking at this location. The park is called Veteran's Park.
The lakefont monument should be left as is. It could use a little cleaning up. It apparently has been neglected by the city over the years.
Apr 24, 2009 at 2:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
What's more important? Honoring our vets or obstructing the view of the lake? I back the students, the see the value of the vets. The headstone would actually beautiful and attract people as a way of honoring our vets.
Apr 24, 2009 at 1:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
I hope the communication between the council and students was/is more than just once every 30 days. If not, small wonder the students are frustrated. What a wasted opportunity to really work closely with our young future leaders instead of treating them like any other developer.
Apr 24, 2009 at 12:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
Very refreshing to see these students looking out for the memory of area veterans. I think it's past time for the Council to step aside on this issue. Students, bless you for continuing to push for what is right. Good luck to you.
Apr 24, 2009 at 11:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
Kids - A,
Council - F. 'nuff said.
Apr 24, 2009 at 11:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
What a disgrace! "segment the park" "block the view of the lake". this is a veterans memorial. It should be prominent and perhaps block a little view to ensure others see it for what it is. A memorial and testimonial to those that have served our country. But no, it must be embroiled in the political commentary of our times. Hog wash!
Apr 24, 2009 at 10:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
Why not scale the project down as suggested by some of the aldermen. There is enough cement and other things in our parks and on our lake front. Keep what Green Space we have left. Who will be next with lake front park project? Sometimes you have to say no.
Apr 24, 2009 at 10:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
Welcome to the City of Lake Geneva Politics boys and girls. You can now see what all the citizens have to deal with. It is a disgrace to the Veterans of our country to leave the memorial in the condition it is in right now. Here you have a group of very ambitious high school kids who want to help properly pay tribute to our Veterans, and once again it has to be dragged out forever. From the picture that I see the memorial blocks the view of the Lake now. Wasn't this already approved by the beautification committee? And city council people, it should be near the sidewalk so that when people are walking by, they can actually see the memorial, and pay proper tribute. Do the right thing and stop screwing these kids around. They are doing something for OUR city with very minimal cost to us, and it is what our Veterans deserve. Last thought, how many people on the city council, who are stonewalling this, are Veterans????
Apr 24, 2009 at 9:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
Yes, they are learning a valuable lesson. Hopefully they will someday run for council and change the inane way it is currently functioning.
Apr 24, 2009 at 9:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
A great lesson in bureaucracy! Don't give up kids! Stand your ground.
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