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The City of Ritzville received a large donation from the Springer Family to erect a memorial in the Ritzville City Park in the Spring of 2015.
Since then the Tree Board has been working to secure pillars for this memorial.
The memorial includes three rock pillars of various sizes and will include a 20-foot lighted flagpole, as was requested by the family.
A few bronze plaques will also accompany the pillars. One plaque will give information on the Springer Family, another plaque will tell about the beautification ordinance.
The final plaque will be reserved for future trees planted in memoriam of community members. The idea for this project is for local residents to see this memorial and donate the amount of $350 to have a tree planted in honor of a loved one. This money will include the tree, the planting and maintenance of the tree, as well as a plaque with the loved one’s name.
The individual’s name will then be added to the plaque at the Pillars Memorial.
The City’s goal is to have a nice way for families to honor their loved ones while also providing a way for the Tree Board to receive more funding for the planting of trees.
Because the City of Ritzville is a member of the Tree City USA organization they have committed to spending $2 per capita on urban forestry, this program will help to keep Ritzville part of this organization.
The other qualifications are maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance and celebrating Arbor Day.
The Tree Board has an annual budget of $2,000, which goes only far enough for the trees they purchase to plant on Arbor Day and a few others.
This can become an issue when the city is subject to windstorms like those that occurred in the area within the past few years. Last summer the City lost multiple trees in windstorms and had to locate the funding needed to replace them.
The pillars have been erected in the park on the Columbia Street side so that when families gather in the summer for reunions they will be able to appreciate it.
The flag will be flying at the flagpole year round and will be lit 24 hours a day. The City has not yet decided whether they will use electricity or solar lighting for the lighting.
They are looking into the cost associated since they would like it to be lit all the time.
The pillars were purchased from a distributer in Moses Lake and as an additional favor the owner closed his business and not only delivered the pillars but also placed them in their respective places.
This helps the city greatly as the city does not own the equipment to lift and move pillars of this size and weight.
The bronze plaques are the next step for this memorial but as the price of bronze has increased so much recently they have yet to be purchased.
The Tree Board set the amount to donate at $350 based on estimated costs but if they find it will not be that expensive they will reduce the amount needed.
To donate, contact Mike Schrag at 660-0323.
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