the
City
of
Eureka
Some Changes Are Occurring ….
But, One Thing Was Constant For 100 years
See, history is something I have had the pleasure of seeing since I came to Eureka earlier this year. I had an opportunity to meet some residents of Eureka who have lived here a long time, who take pride in the City, and share with me a wealth of knowledge of Eureka’s history. Since I became the city administrator, I have tried to implement some positive changes to the operations of our great City. One of those biggest challenges was trying to get a handle and assessment on our aging infrastructure. This is something that, no matter what city you’re living in, has to deal with, unless of course the city just was established in this century. In this article, I don’t want to talk about streets ,which I know I have banged that drum a lot lately, or fiber internet, airports, or even water/sewer lines, but I want to talk about one of those aging infrastructures that we all can unify for and that is Veterans Memorial Hall.
2024 marks the 100th birthday of our very own Memorial Hall which was dedicated to honor those veterans who served in all the years previous and including World War I. Me-morial Hall is one of only a handful of these still standing in Kansas and being utilized as a center of City operations. Every day I go to work, I get the opportunity to work in that historic building and carry out the day-to-day operations of government for the citizens of Eureka. I consider myself to be lucky to have that opportunity, and each day I come to work I awe in the presence of this magnificent building I am literally sitting in writing this article. Earlier in November we dedicated a flagpole to honor this historic building. Next time you’re here to pay your bills, fill out a permit, or just to visit, stop by and take a look at the flagpole and it’s newly minted plaque. But also while visiting, consider looking at the corner brick of the building just behind the flagpole. It is there you will see the names of the great Eureka residents who saw a vision to bring this facility to this City to have a gathering place for everyone.
Finally, I want to invite you to join me for some major City events before we wrap up 2024. First, on Dec. 7, right before the Christmas Parade at 4:15 p.m., the Mayor will be giving a State of City address at the gazebo along Main Street. He will be addressing for anyone who wants to hear what we accomplished in 2024 and what our visions and goals are to accomplish in 2025. Second, on Dec. 9 we will be celebrating Memorial Hall’s birthday with an open house. That day from 12 to 6 p.m. we will “open the doors” to Memorial Hall for everyone to enjoy. We have special events planned all day during the open house and an opportunity for you to help us raise funds for Memorial Hall and its building fund. We are having an art contest, tours of the facility, gift baskets for silent auctions, and even a coloring contest for kids (kids at heart as well), and will also be making available for a donation, Christmas ornaments for your Holiday season commemorating Memorial Hall’s Birthday. We might even have a few more special things to share that day as well remembering all of the Veterans who served their country from the community. So if you’re available that day, stop in and grab a piece of cake or have a cookie, and come see this building that has stood for 100 years as a constant staple of the community for so many generations. If you see me say hello and be sure to let me hear your “VOICE,” Visions On Improving the City of Eureka. Remember you only turn 100 once.
