Move fountain

June 13, 2009 12:13 am

— I've lived in Sunbury my entire life and remember well the controversial fountain. I also remember the deplorable state of neglect into which it was allowed to fall.
Water no longer flowed into it and the basin was full of dead leaves and mold, and the surface was covered with verdigris. Ultimately, it was removed and a gazebo built on its original location.
Now the fountain has been restored and is to be presented, as a gift, to the city. The proposed placement of the fountain has caused much dissent among the city administration, veterans' groups and Sunbury citizens.
The administration proposes to move the war memorials from the western end of Cameron Park to install the fountain on that site. The hypothesis: People will be able to see it on their way into town. If that is the ultimate intent, why not put it where people will see it coming into town, leaving town or just passing by. Why not make it the centerpiece of Phillips Park; install it right smack in the middle of the park at Front and Market.
Currently there is a lovely flower bed at Front and Market in Phillips Park. Flowers, if moved, will grow back. The fragility of the memorials, if moved, may cause them to deteriorate.
Gloria J. Walker,
Sunbury