Guest column: Clock, gateway arch not city-funded

Over the past year many articles and letters to the editor have appeared relative to the clock and gateway arch and their contributors. Yet, somehow, there are a vocal few who use them to detract from whatever cause it is they wish to pursue. They are either ignorant of the facts or just choose to ignore them. "Don't confuse me with the facts...my mind is made up" seems to be their battle cry. One such individual recently took the city council to task for spending money on the clock and gateway arch as frivolous projects and others have written letters to the editor along the same lines. For these who make claims to the contrary in print or public meetings I will try to make this very simple one more time.

The clock project was the brainchild of Jim Bultema who put all of his energy into seeing it to completion as a Williams Rotary Club project. The Rotary Club raised all of the funds through private donations and the sale of miniature clocks. The mayor, city council and staff authorized and supported the project but no city funds were expended for the clock. It is a community project.

The idea for the gateway arch was conceived by former City Manager Dennis Wells. When he approached me with the idea, I took it to the Arizona State Railroad Museum Foundation Board of Directors. They enthusiastically approved the donation of the materials used for the arch and funding through one of our grants. We used historic cantilever signal structures donated to the museum by BNSF as the basis, conceptual architecture was donated, one of the board members volunteered the engineering, Grand Canyon Railway fabricated and donated critical steel bases, city staff provided expertise and labor, and APS erected the structure.

We provided the $10,000 grant, the city processed the invoices and cut the checks, and ADOT refunded the funds expended. Near the end of the project a couple of hundred dollars were needed to complete some structural work and this was provided by the city. The mayor, city council, and staff authorized and supported the project but in proportion almost no city funds were expended for the gateway arch. It is a community project.

Neither of these projects are frivolous...they are there for a good reason. In case you haven't noticed our economy is largely based on tourism. A very large percentage of these visitors look at things like the clock and arch as expressions of pride in community. They also serve to let others know where they had traveled. There is seldom a day that goes by that there are not one or more visitors having their picture taken in front of either or both. They take these pictures home and show them to their friends who are also impressed. This is called "word of mouth" advertising. It is free and worth its weight in gold. Instead of passing off ignorant complaints or comments why not take pride in what your neighbors have done for the community. Better yet, volunteer and get involved.

My experience is that most of the chronic complainers are those who do not show up at public budget and policy meetings or council meetings. Most of these meetings may have one or two people or none at all in attendance. If they had attended even one of the many meetings open to the public they just might have their facts straight. Usually, if they do show up at a council meeting, it is to vent their spleen completely ignorant of the facts. We live in a democracy but so many citizens will not be a part of the process or prefer to be confrontational. They do not attend meetings, read the newspaper, or ask their elected representatives for the answers to their questions in a civil manner.

We are very fortunate to have elected officials and city staff who work very hard at doing what is best for the community. Unfortunately, it is an impossible task to keep everyone happy. If you have a legitimate grievance make sure your facts are correct and then go to the appropriate individual, board or council to be heard.

Give them the benefit of the doubt and try to work with them instead of treating them as an adversary. Just imagine how you would react if people treated you in such a manner.

Williams is a great town and for the most part the people are great. Times are tough and that is when we need to work together even more. Give it a shot...you may even like it.