Veterans' Memorial Park Restoration Under Way

http://www.indeonline.com/communities/x910594873/Veterans-Memorial-Park-restoration-under-way

Massillon Municipal Judge Edward Elum is spearheading efforts to restore the Veterans’ Memorial Park fountain at the south end of the park on First Street SE. The project also would include a memorial honoring veterans of recent wars and new landscaping.

By Doug Staley

IndeOnline.com staff writer

Posted Jul 09, 2011 @ 12:10 AM

MASSILLON —

After several years of discussion, restoration of the city’s Veterans’ Memorial Park has begun, the first step of a multiphase project that is to include the construction of a memorial honoring veterans of the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars.

The restoration of the fountain is expected to be completed by the end of the summer, according to Municipal Judge Edward Elum, who is spearheading the project.

“We have to honor our veterans, No. 1. No. 2, it’s (fountain) been an eyesore. It’s an embarrassment. We want to make it (park) a showcase,” Elum said.

The fountain, located near the Medal of Honor memorial at the south end of the park on First Street SE, was dedicated in 1949 to all the city’s war heroes, but has fallen into disrepair in recent years. The fountain has been removed, but the oblong reflecting pool remains. The missing fountain piece was discovered several years ago.

Prep work, such as the installation of water and electric lines and drainage improvements, has been completed in the last several weeks, according to Elum. Elum estimated roughly $5,000 in volunteer labor has been donated to date.

“Right now, it’s kind of slow because there is a lot of (code) compliance,” Elum said. “... We’re trying to improve the entire area.”

The cost of the entire project, which also is to include the installation of low-level halogen lighting and new landscaping throughout the park, is estimated at $50,000.

Elum and others, including Terry Roan, commander of Massillon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3124, are working on fundraising efforts and architectural plans for the project. The restoration proposal is being designed by Jackson Township-based Canterbury Enterprises, which has experience in water fountain construction, repair, restoration and landscaping.

Tentative plans call for bronze plaques to be placed on a concrete riser inside the fountain in honor of veterans from wars in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, according to Elum.

“We wanted to put in some sort of a memorial for war veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice, starting with Bosnia and the Persian Gulf,” Elum said.

Roan agreed the fountain needed to be refurbished and is excited the project is moving forward.

“We’re trying to cover all the bases. We don’t want to rush. We want to make it nice,” Roan said. “There has been a lot of people who have donated. We have paid, but not nearly what it would have cost.”

Roan added that veterans of recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are deserving of a memorial.

“Now is the time to do it,” Roan said. “When they get older, it’s going to be done for them.”

FOUNTAIN FACTS

• The fountain was dedicated in 1949 following a communitywide fundraising effort spearheaded by the Massillon Junior Chamber of Commerce. The fountain was dedicated to local veterans of all wars.

• The project was completed at a cost of $2,500.

• The fountain was erected using Imperial Danby marble, the same marble specified by the U.S. Military Commission on all war memorials in Washington, D.C.

• The original memorial also included a cannon and a flagpole.

TO MAKE A DONATION

Write to Veterans’ Park Fund 1240, Attn: Judge Edward J. Elum, Massillon Municipal Court, Two James Duncan Plaza, Massillon, 44646 or call 330-830-1727.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Freedom of Speech Under Fire in American 3-8-2011

Families welcomed home during Habitat dedication - Massillon, OH - The Independent
Source: indeonline.com

October, 2010

Courtrooms are improved to accommodate 21st Century technology: Related Story

Judge Elum presents numerous educational and court related programs to all seven high schools in the Court District when requested to do so and many of the numerous grade schools. Every spring, there are 10-12 field trips to the Court every school year. All seven high schools and local colleges, Kent State University and Stark State College are invited to participate in the Court's Annual Law Day Panel Discussion that is broadcast on MCTV, the local cable television company that covers the Court District: Related Story

Televised Law Day Panel "Ask A Lawyer" in the Massillon Municipal Court in conjunction with the Stark County Bar Association:

Veterans Services:

Judge Elum has instituted an aggressive community service program that is visible and helpful throughout the Court District. The men in the lime green vests in the photo below are court community service workers that are assigned to this veterans' project that is chaired by former Judge Richard T. Kettler (USAF-ret). As a part of the Court's veterans assistance program, the defendants who are vets and have issues with alcohol, substance abuse or mental health issues are ordered to treatment, community service with other vets and employment opportunities that the court has set up with various employers and the Stark County Veterans Service Commission. The Massillon Court does not have a formalized Veterans Court since the grant funding is limited and burdensome. Judge Elum, as a 15 year Navy veteran, and with assistance from all the local veterans organizations, the Court established its own AoD (alcoholother drug)treatment procedures and mental health support groups for Vietnam veterans and those veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan with severe mental health and TBI issues:

http://www.indeonline.com/features/x1272812430/Sacrifice-carved-in-bronze-at-viaduct

The Court uses community service workers and veterans under the direction of Judge Elum to beautify Veterans Park which is located adjacent to the court and restore the Veterans Fountain for Memorial Day 2011: