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City waives fees and agrees support for Operation Douglas Warriors memorial tiles
Summary
The commission approved waiving city fees and providing limited setup support for Operation Douglas Warriors, a Douglas Historical School Society project to place commemorative tiles honoring veterans who attended the historic Douglas School.
The High Springs City Commission on Sept. 8 approved a request from the Douglas Historical School Society to waive city fees and provide limited city support for Operation Douglas Warriors, a project to place commemorative memorial tiles on the exterior columns of the Douglas Community Center.
Valoria Kelly of the Douglas Historical School Society and Donald Hamm, a volunteer and retired service member, asked the commission to support the effort to honor veterans who attended Douglas School (the city’s historically Black school that operated from 1930 until integration in 1970). The society will produce steel, weather-resistant tiles with a veteran’s name, service branch and photograph; organizers said volunteers will fund and install the tiles, and the society requested city help with setup (chairs and similar logistical support) and fee waivers for the special-event permitting process.
Commission action and details
The commission voted to waive the city’s required fees associated with the special-event permit and agreed to provide limited staff assistance (set-up help). Organizers said they aim to place up to 100 names on the columns by the Nov. 15 dedication and intend to continue annual additions until 213 column spaces are filled. Organizers described multiple donation options (Venmo, Zelle or check) and committed to returning to the city with materials and installation details as the project progresses.
Why it matters
The Douglas Community Center and the school’s history hold local cultural significance; commissioners said the project aligns with community preservation and recognition of veterans’ service. City staff noted the Douglas Center has seen increasing rental activity and that the requested assistance will not conflict with existing rentals for the proposed date.
Ending
Organizers will continue outreach and fundraising; the commission asked city staff to help publicize the project and coordinate logistics with the society for the Nov. 15 event.
