COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Coldwater City Council member John Petzko said during Monday night’s City Council meeting he wanted to clarify what the city is contributing for a proposed fountain and sculpture in the southeast part of the downtown Four Corners Park.
The Council last month approved a request to contribute $100,000 from the general fund balance that would be a match to the $100,000 that would be sought through private donations and a Patronicity Public Spaces Community Places grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
The resolution passed by the City Council also authorized the City to apply for a $50,000 M.E.D.C. grant.
But many in the community took to social media platforms to blast the proposal. Some said the city should concentrate on establishing a homeless shelter, others felt it would be a frivolous expense since many are struggling financially.
There has been a perception by some Coldwater citizens, perhaps through false information posted on social media, that the city itself was going to spend $200,000. Petzko said on Monday that was not true.
Petzko’s late wife Maureen hoped to have a fountain downtown and he established a fund at the Branch County Community Foundation to provide seed funding after she passed away.
Mayor Tom Kramer said the lack of support was surprising.
The design of the fountain and sculpture was discussed last month by the Council. They agreed to keep the design open in order to get comments from the community.
I think public opinion should matter. We need so much more in This county. The homeless situation is horrible. I haven’t seen anything to even address the homeless it’s always something new for the downtown area but what about our people and veterans that are sleeping on the street somewhere. All the affordable housing for the people under poverty level are all taken up where are they supposed to go.?