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Council accepts Newark Morning Rotary gift of permanent POW/MIA chair of honor outside City Hall
Summary
The council approved a donation from the Newark Morning Rotary to install a permanent POW/MIA "chair of honor" with plaque and five stanchions outside the municipal building; the Rotary will install and maintain the display. Vote was 5–0.
Paula Ennis, director of Parks and Recreation, presented a proposal from the Newark Morning Rotary Club to donate and fund a permanent “chair of honor” memorial to be installed on a concrete pad in the municipal building parking lot.
David Bunk, representing the Newark Morning Rotary, described the display as a perpetually empty chair to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action, accompanied by five stanchions topped with service symbols and a bronze plaque that will include the words “you are not forgotten.” He said the Rotary would donate the chair, plaque and all components and would maintain the display through regular cleaning.
Council members praised the Rotary’s community service and supported the proposed location near the city flag area outside City Hall. Resident James Creaky spoke from the public and thanked council and volunteers for their support of veterans.
The council approved the donation and authorized city staff to install the display; the Newark Morning Rotary will be responsible for maintenance. The motion passed 5–0.
Why it matters: the memorial provides a visible, donor‑funded commemoration of veterans and POW/MIA service members and will be maintained by the Rotary without ongoing city maintenance costs beyond installation.
