After several days of making proofreading corrections to the biography of Ryan Hummert, and description of the events of July 21, 2008 on the Ryan Hummert memorial, a worker began sandblasting the words into the monument on Friday.
Spelling corrections and other suggestions, some made by commenters on this website, were heeded before the final step of sandblasting. The cost of the memorial, passed by city council in March 2015, is not to exceed $334,471. A date has not been announced for the memorial dedication.
These were corrections noted on Friday:
In response to Luke Havel: I’m aware that city council meetings are open to the public. My point was that (to my knowledge) this project was presented at the city council meeting in March 2015 as a finished project. At that meeting only the contractor and costs were being voted upon. The design was already complete. I’m not aware of the design itself being presented at a design and review board meeting- where public discourse regarding the size, placement, etc of the memorial could have been discussed. As I have stated in earlier posts, this situation has certainly prompted me to attend meetings in the future. IF this was presented at a design and review board meeting (and I’m not convinced it was), then as a community member I am partly to blame for the poor design (my opinion) of this memorial. My lack of participation does not reflect a lack of interest and this process has certainly made me a more conscientious citizen of the community.
I just noticed that the number 52 is being used. I learned in short story writing class that, in a formal document, the numbers are always spelled out… fifty two….LARGE SIGH…
It depends on the style book being used. I used to use Chicago Manual of Style and American Psychological Association when working for a publisher. My working memory is now a little hazy on them, but one of the style books says only numbers ten and under need to be written out or if they begin a sentence. Otherwise, they can be expressed in digits rather than spelled out so according to at least one style book 52 as in “A 52-year-old” is acceptable.
So, according to the article, some city funds WERE used for this. Where did they come from?
I am embarrassed by all the negative comments regarding the design. I don’t see an issue with it. In comparison to the scale of the entire park it is hardly overwhelming. Regardless of how it looks the enshrining the memory of the hero is all that really counts. I am sure that Ryan Hummert’s family and his fellow firefighters are honored to have such a memorial. Thank you to all of Maplewood Firefighters and First Responders past and present! You deserve even more.
Embarrassed is an understatement. The whining, complaining and snide comments made below and in other 40 S articles about the memorial is nothing short of appalling. I’m certain that a memorial to honor a firefighter that was murdered, gunned down, on the FIRST CALL of his career trumps your “terrific view of the Arch (Seriously?!)” and/or kids ability to access that specific patch of the park. Where is the compassion, respect, and strong community that not long ago defined Maplewood? The real outrage is that members of our community lack grace- instead trivialize a young man’s life, which he gave while serving and protecting the City of Maplewood with silly comments about the size, placement, and funding of a memorial.
GGerald, you are missing the point. You are discussing 2 different issues. I believe we all agree that Ryan Hummert deserves a memorial to honor his life and the sacrifice he made. What is debatable is the asthethics and placement of this memorial in a public park. I do not like the design of the memorial but it does not mean I lack compassion, respect, or sense of community.
Like I said, I bet his family and fellow firefighters love the looks of the memorial and their opinions should certainly matter more than ours. I am pretty sure there is still plenty of green/play-space and plenty of spots to get a good view of the Arch and the State Hospital. I find the design modern with clean lines without being to eyebrow raising like a giant M.
Also, perhaps bashing the design in a public forum after the fact is not the most polite thing to do. If you want your voice heard, go the council meetings where the designs are presented, agendas can be found online. 40South posted on the initial design last year and no one complained then.
I’m not positive this design was ever presented to the design and review board. As far as I know (and I may not have all the information) it was presented at a city council meeting. I’m not aware of any public opportunity to discuss the design (not cost, builders, but the actual design). Doug, do you know if this was ever presented to the design and review board?
City Council meeting are a public discussions. All citizens are welcome to speak at council meetings.
The point is not that there is a memorial, but what type of memorial will do the best to capture his heroism and our loss for the future to remember. If people are distracted, tempted to damage and irritated by the size and quality of the text, especially when there seemed to be no public review ahead of time, that doesn’t do Mr. Hummert’s memory any good. He served our entire community, and the fact that his memorial is in the park represents the entire community. It should serve the entire community as well. That’s what he would have wanted, I’m assuming
P.S. Aesthetics is the common spelling for that word.
GGerald,
I’m one of the “complainers”. As a critic of the memorial, I’m well aware that my comments are considered by many to disrespect the memory of Ryan Hummert. That is not my intent. If they are viewed that way, I regret it very much. I simply think the memorial is too big and in the wrong place. A more modest memorial would have been an appropriate tribute.
One thing I think we can all agree on is that thanks to 40 South News, four errors were discovered and corrected before sandblasting began. That is a good thing.
Time to move on. Though not a fan of the design, I suspect I’ll get used to it – especially as a park resident who will be looking at it every day.
We should all get coffee sometime.
Great idea, Steve!
I love this park, also! Best view of the sunrise and the Arch, apart, perhaps from Art Hill. I agree with the concerns so clearly expressed about the Memorial. I was, thankfully, out of town when the sad event happened. The Hummert name is dear to Maplewood. “Less is more” is an often-overlooked sentiment. I am recalling that this “once cheerful park” was created on the site of the old Junior High, which unfortunately burned to the ground years ago—
This memorial practically ruins a great park. When they started construction, I thought it was going to be an amphitheater. It’s huge! Something much more tasteful should have been done. The placement and size are antithetical to the way the park is used, and it’s going to get damaged by kids — guaranteed. It is important (mandatory, even) to remember a fallen firefighter and the tragedy of that day. But this ostentatious and disturbing monument is going to cast a long shadow over this once cheerful park.
Agreed. Neighbors will focus on the poor design of the memorial and not the merits for whom it represents. It is a real shame.
I can see it from my front door and I have no problem with the design. My only concern was with the location because of sledding in the winter, but hey, this past winter was so mild we didn’t have enough snow.
I contacted the City and was told that it was paid for by private donations. The next day they emailed me and said that may not be 100% accurate and that I should call to get full details, so…
So, let me get this straight. That thing cost $334,471? Where did the funds come from? That is an enormous amount of money.
Private donations, as previously noted on 40 South News.
A previous article also mentions city funds.
Doug, on March 11, 2015 you wrote an article stating the City Council approved the cost of the park. When searching the City Hall website, the minutes from that meeting are not posted. Do you have a copy of those minutes, of what costs exactly were approved by the council? Thanks.
Adelina – I don’t have a copy, and am checking with the city.
Adelina – the article from March 11 now contains a link to the March 10, 2015 meeting minutes, which includes the approved cost of the Hummert memorial. https://40southnews.com/council-approves-ryan-hummert-memorial-cost/
Thanks Doug!
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