Resident urges Columbia City to invest in historical signage and community events
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Summary
Local resident Ross Gilliam asked the council to prioritize signage recognizing notable local figures and to support community events tied to a forthcoming 250th anniversary, proposing low-cost initiatives and partnerships with nearby counties.
A Columbia City resident urged the council to add historical signage and support community events to boost tourism and recognize local figures.
Ross Gilliam told the council he brought handouts and said, "The purpose of this is signage," describing several local historical personages and events that he said lack public recognition. He highlighted that he could not find signs marking the home of Thomas Marshall, former governor and vice president, and suggested budgeting for signs to make those sites more visible to visitors traveling on U.S. 30.
Gilliam proposed partnerships with neighboring counties and museums, a planned Native American historic center at the local museum, and low-cost events such as choir performances and contests tied to an upcoming 250th anniversary. He asked the council to consider including signage and programming in future budgets but said much could be accomplished with volunteer effort and modest resources.
Council staff acknowledged the idea and noted related calendar items for July events and a planned time capsule; no formal funding decision was made during the meeting.