Weeds jutting out at Memorial

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WILMINGTON — Uninvited and disagreeable weeds are trespassing upon the engraved brick paving at the Clinton County Veterans Memorial on courthouse square.

“We’ve never had the problem with the weeds growing in between the bricks like we’ve had this year,” Clinton County Veterans Service Commission Executive Director Ray Souder told Clinton County commissioners Monday.

In the past, there have been problems with weeds popping up in the mulch areas at the memorial. Caretakers utilized weed killer against the unsightly plants, only to have them reappear in the mulch.

So far, the time-consuming, hands-and-knees weed pulling work between the brick pavers has basically been done by Souder, local resident Joe Curtin and volunteers.

Souder reported Monday that the coach of a local athletic team has expressed a desire to have his players do a work project at the memorial. In addition, earlier Monday a retired man indicated he wants to spend some time working on the memorial, which has become a special place for many in the area.

Traditionally, volunteers and veterans have taken care of the Veterans Memorial, rather than the county maintenance department.

On Monday, Clinton County commissioners emphasized that county maintenance staff is here to assist if necessary. For that particular project, the maintenance staff would work under the direction of Souder.

Because of the meaning and significance of the memorial, there are special considerations for taking care of the site. For example, snow should not be removed with metal shovels or by applying salt due to the risks of damaging personalized pavers that honor local veterans, said Souder and Curtin. A personalized paver usually is purchased by the family of the veteran.

After the commissioners meeting, Curtin expressed a preference for not removing snow from the pavers at the memorial.

Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768 or on Twitter @GHuffenberger.

Vine-like weeds have intruded this year upon the engraved personalized brick pavers at the Clinton County Veterans Memorial.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/08/web1_weeds_bricks_p_f.jpgVine-like weeds have intruded this year upon the engraved personalized brick pavers at the Clinton County Veterans Memorial.

From left, local resident Joe Curtin and Clinton County Veterans Service Commission Executive Director Ray Souder await the start of their meeting with Clinton County commissioners Monday.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/08/web1_joe_ray_p_f.jpgFrom left, local resident Joe Curtin and Clinton County Veterans Service Commission Executive Director Ray Souder await the start of their meeting with Clinton County commissioners Monday.
Worst year for weeds between the bricks

By Gary Huffenberger

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