Editorial: It's about time for a town clock in downtown

We can't say that nothing is going on in Williams this weekend. A new Miss Williams Route 66 will be crowned Friday. Hundreds of classic cars will be in town for the Cool Country Cruise-In. And, the town clock will be dedicated at 4 p.m. and unveiled at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the corner of Railroad and Grand Canyon Boulevard. When the clock is unveiled, it will chime and play music. Local dignitaries will be on hand. The celebration will include a town social with free ice cream and cake.

The idea of a town clock originated nearly a decade ago when Judge Bill Sutton and then-City Clerk Eleanor Addison thought it would be a good idea. The clock remained an idea until Judge Sutton asked the Williams Rotary Club to spearhead the project. Jim Bultema quickly jumped on the idea and became chairman of the Town Clock Committee.

For more than one year, Jim has worked tirelessly along with the Williams Rotary Club and the community to raise $39,000 needed to purchase the clock. Hats off to Jim and the Rotary Club for making the clock a reality.

The clock will be highly visible, standing over 20 feet high, and will offer four dials for everyone to see from multiple locations. The clock will chime every 15 minutes and has the capability to play several hundred songs.

The clock is something we should all be proud of. Fifty years ago, it was common in towns across the nation to have a town clock in the center of town. Sadly, the tradition of a town clock has died over the years throughout America. Let's celebrate the fact that our small town has something that many towns do not possess. We'll see you at the party on Saturday.