Norman keeps courthouse grounds restoration effort alive

Friday, August 20, 2004

By Ben Holman

Nevada Daily Mail

"We're not finished yet." Those were the words spoken by Franklin Norman this past February when the Missouri Department of Natural Resources informed the Nevada Resident that they would not supply further funds for the restoration of the walkway and landscaping surrounding the William Stone Monument on the grounds of the Vernon County Courthouse.

Indeed, he is not finished yet. Norman met with the Vernon County Commission yesterday in his ongoing quest to completely restore the monument.

Norman has spent many years working to acquire funding to restore the memorial.

Last October, he saw one of his goals completed as a rededication ceremony was held for the once-dilapidated monument.

However, Norman's efforts were stalled once again when the state refused to supply funding for the restoration of the landscaping.

In a letter to Norman, Sara Parker of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources stated, "We believe that the replacement of the terrazzo walkways and installation of new landscape materials are beyond what the state is willing to undertake."

Although the state refused to provide further funds, Norman did not give up.

County commissioners have said that while they would very much like to see the restoration completed, they simply do not have the funds available to dedicate to the project. "We have a long list of things that we need to do," said Bonnie McCord, Southern Commissioner. The establishment of a county 911 system is taking up much of the commission's attention at present.

Recently, Ed Mason, Community Development Manager, Rural Development Division, USDA, moved to Nevada and, as luck would have it, lives on the same street as Norman. Norman enlisted his aid in seeking out other sources of funding.

"He knows where the money is," said Norman. "The purpose of (yesterday's) meeting was to explore the possibility of federal funding," said Norman.

"We have a couple of grant options that may fit what we're trying to do," said Mason. Those grants, however, would encompass a larger scope of improvements than just the landscaping of the monument. Mason pointed out that there are still other access and cosmetic issues that would be encompassed in the grant.

According to information Norman provided the commission, there are many things that need to be done to return the monument to the specifications found in the original 1934 plan. Also, a drip irrigation system will be installed to maintain the landscaping. Dan Kuhn, Lamar, put together an estimate on the cost of installing the irrigation system.

According to the estimates, the project will cost just over $17,000.

"We're glad (Mr. Norman is) taking the helm on this," said McCord, who feels that it is a worthwhile project but not one that the commission can place atop its list of concerns.

Franklin Norman has been a crusader for the Nevada community for many years, working to ensure safe streets and to protect Nevadans tax dollars.

He has been a Nevada resident for all of his 95 year and, although he doesn't remember it, says he was likely present at the original dedication of the monument.

"I've been working on it for 14 years," said Norman of his efforts to restore the monument.

Should federal grant money be acquired, it is likely that Norman could see his vision of restoring the grounds completed in the near future.

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