Veteran’s memorial replica displayed for public comment

Models will be moved to other sites in weeks to come

What would the proposed veteran’s memorial look like by the Sea Wall?  Or where the water tower used to stand?

Now, you can see for yourself.

The task force charged with making a recommendation to the City Council about the best location for a memorial has placed a replica of the proposed structures at the Sea Wall and is inviting public comment.

“This is our idea to get people talking,” said Dana Brant, a member of the task force and Clear Lake City Council representative.  “We have placed actual size mock-ups of the three flag pole bases and two walls at the Sea Wall.  In about two weeks we will move them to another possible location.  Hopefully we’ll also have a third location after that.”

The task force has established an email address to accept public comment about the placement options.  Comments will be accepted at [email protected].  Those without Internet access, could also submit written comments, addressed to the Task Force, at City Hall.

Brant said the task force, named by Mayor Nelson Crabb in October, has met four times, approximately once each month and met with various people to discuss possible locations for the memorial.  After receiving input from the community about their reaction to the replicas, Brant said he believes the task force will make a location recommendation to the City Council.  He does not forsee the issue returning to the Parks and Recreation Board.

In June 2014, V.F.W. Post Commander Mike Nelson, Past Commander Dave Parks and veteran Gene Madson presented the City Council with a conceptual drawing and discussed their vision for the project. They proposed the current V.F.W. Memorial located on Main Avenue, near the Clear Lake Yacht Club building, be moved to the Sea Wall site.  The memorial would also include two additional flag pole piers for the American and state flags, as well as two five-foot walls which will have the names of veterans from Clear Lake and Ventura inscribed on them.   Two additional walls could be added, if needed.  

The Council sent the issue to its Parks and Recreation Board for a recommendation.  That board voted 5-1 to recommend to the City Council that the proposed veterans memorial not be placed in front of the Sea Wall.  The Council, on a 3-2 vote, agreed with that recommendation. All five Council members voted in favor of establishing a task force  charged with considering locations and design for a veterans memorial.

Members of that task force are: Amy Hogg, a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; Dave Parks and Eldon Vine, members of the Clear Lake VFW; retired pastor Dean Hess; realtor Diana Symonds; businessman and community member at-large Dean Hess; City Councilman Dana Brant; and Nicole Olson, an attorney and community member at large.