Let the tower be a light unto the world!

Let the tower be a light unto the world!

By Michael Coulter Let’s have a little fun on this one, Ralph, seeing that Marion Mayor Frank Fogleman just may have gotten an inspiration from the controversial and very expensive lighting of an old and dilapidated water tower in West Memphis that has yet to be turned on after a long year and a half of delays and excuses.

Oh, but we’re now told the northerner who was hired to do the job for a quarter-of-a-million dollars has finally completed the project and all we’re waiting on is for a special Downtown Main Street West Memphis grand illumination event.

Maybe Mayor Fogleman ought to wait to see what this old and abandoned water tower on Broadway will look like all lite up before making any decision on lighting the signature Marion Patriots water tower near Patriots Stadium. After all, spending a quarter-of-a-million dollars on strands of lights should certainly be a spectacular sight to be seen, don’t you think Ralph?

Funny thing Ralph, the Marion Patriots tower at one time had lights wrapped around the catwalk near the top which made it visible at night from the interstate but Fogleman said the lights went dim and they can’t find anybody who knows how to fix them.

Doesn’t that sound familiar Ralph? How many times have we heard critics of the expensive lights on the West Memphis tower some day going out and who will be able to fix them? The question has been repeatedly asked if there is a warranty in this grand deal and what assurances are there that if there is a problem down the road who can Main Street people call for help?

Many critics are comparing this stalled project to the expensive and disastrous lighting project a few years ago under the interstate at the end of Missouri Street. We all know what happened there don’t we Ralph?

So, getting back to Fogleman’s dilemma. He says he’s having some trouble finding a company that can come in and work on the existing lights, a situation we’re sure West Memphis will be facing in the future.

The mayor says it would be nice to find someone who can work on the lights and determine whether they can be illuminated or possibly put lights on the ground around the tower.

Hey Ralph, let’s suggest Mayor Fogleman call the Main Street West Memphis director and get the name and number of the northerner who spend a year and a half working on illuminating the old water tower. I bet he could give Marion officials a fine estimate on working on the Patriot’s tower don’t you think? If it is anything like what he quoted on the West Memphis tower I don’t suppose Fogleman would be very interested don’t you agree?

Unlike the decision that was made in West Memphis Mayor Fogleman wants to repaint the Patriots water tower which he said will cost about $115,000. Oh, he’s good, Ralph. Seems the mayor plans to hopefully get Marion School Superintendent Dr. Glen Fenter to help foot the bill seeing how it is painted with the school mascot logo on it. After all Ralph, Mayor Fogleman is thinking that if the image of the Tricorn hat logo is painted on the tower then Dr. Fenter should be willing to chip in on the painting cost.

You know as well as I do Ralph, Dr. Fenter probably won’t have an issue with jumping on board with this project, and I am sure he will get the full support of the Marion School Board.

Heck Ralph, maybe there is a partnership in getting the lighting project funded but I certainly won’t suggest either of them thinking what Main Street West Memphis got themselves into is the route to take. Don’t you agree?