Bolivar accepts donor-funded semiquincentennial monument wording; board discusses location and time capsule

City staff introduced a proposal for a U.S. semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) monument and a time capsule, presenting a draft of the proposed wording and several site options.

City Administrator Elford (S6) said Butler Funeral Home has offered to fund the monument’s materials and installation. "They're working with us and have agreed to fund this for us, the material, installation, everything," he said. Staff presented the draft inscription that would mark the July 4, 1776–July 4, 2026 commemoration and asked the board to approve the verbiage so ordering could proceed; the draft states the city "honors the courage, sacrifice, and ideals that formed our nation." The board discussed possible placements including Newhart Park, in front of City Hall, or a recently purchased Pike Street property and noted an existing time capsule in Newhart Park that opens in 2036.

Councilors debated whether to list the names of elected officials on the back of the monument and how to credit the donor; several members said tasteful donor acknowledgement is appropriate but that elected officials need not be memorialized on the back. Councilor (S7) noted the historical tie of Simon Bolivar’s donated statue in Newhart Park and supported placing the marker there. Staff also raised right-of-way and permitting questions with MoDOT for locations near state-controlled roadways.

The board moved to approve the wording as presented and the motion carried by voice vote. Staff said monument dimensions are modest (listed as approximately 24 by 18 inches in the meeting material) and that final siting and time-capsule contents would be determined later, with plans to involve local partners, including schools, in selecting capsule items.