Mark Veterans Day on 11-11-11

In 2011, the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" time of Veterans Day gains the added significance of occurring in the eleventh year of the 21st Century. At a recent City Council meeting, Board of Education member Lisa Logan Leach called attention to the unique timing and the city has since organized an observance of the day on Friday, Nov. 11.

Click here to read a history of Veterans Day compiled by the U.S. Army Center of Military History.

The observance here will include a brief parade and ceremonies at City Hall. Click here to view the flyer.

Meanwhile, negotiations continue on the status of the Veterans Center in the building at 400 East Front Street.

Terms of a contract with the developer call for the center to be turned over to veterans once all the 63 condos on upper floors are sold. Though signage marks the center, it has been used as a sales office for the condos. However, because many condos are now occupied under a "lease-to-buy" plan, the terms of the contract will have to be changed or veterans will have to wait until all the sales are complete.

Veterans have been meeting in the adjacent Senior Center, but representatives have appeared before the governing body to demand that veterans have their own space as promised.

The Veterans Center issue is one of several questions surrounding 400 East Front Street. Other unresolved issues include payment for outfitting the Senior Center and condo fees for its use. Once operable, the Veterans Center will also have condo status and will be liable for condo fees.

--Bernice