Riverfront Park timepiece donated by Dodge family
By Barb Pert Templeton
An impressive 15-foot black clock, that was donated to the City of Algonac in memory of late longtime community supporter Donald Dodge, will be up and running again soon.
A recent meeting of the Algonac City Council had members unanimously approving the repair and restoration of the clock that was placed in Riverfront Park in 2003.
The approval didn’t come without a bit of debate as Councilman Michael Bembas felt the nearly $12,000 repair bill should be spent on something else for the city. Although in the end Bembas voted in favor of the repairs.
A memo in the Jan. 20 council meeting packet had two bids for the clock repairs submitted by City Manager Artie Bryson and DPW Foreman Joe Vernier. The pair of bids were from the same vendor, the Verdin Company. They noted that the cost to replace the clock outright would be between $28,000 and $30,000.
Algonac Councilman Michael Bembas.
The first quote was for the mechanical restoration of the existing post clock which was for the inner workings of the clock only which would allow the clock to keep the proper time. The bid was for $8,380.
The second quote was for mechanical and cosmetic restoration which would replace the clock face, dials and hands along with the inner workings of the clock. The bid was for $11,750.
Bryson’s recommendation was to have the council agree to take the funds from the city’s Milford Jackson Trust Fund since the project falls within the parameters for use of the funding. In the memo Bryson noted that the Jackson Fund brings about $25,000 to the city annually.
In addition to approving a restoration bid Bryson also noted that at some point they city needs to get a local artist to repaint “Algonac” on the face of the clock.
Councilwoman Cathy Harris made the motion to approve the second quote for $11,750 for both the mechanical and cosmetic restoration of the clock. Her motion was supported by Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey.
“Have we looked into any private funding,” Councilman Michael Bembas asked.
“We will be willing to take any,” Bryson replied.
Longtime community supporter Donald Dodge passed away in 2003 and his family donated a clock to the city in his memory.
Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey reminded everyone that the Milford Jackson trust isn’t for potholes and having funding from the trust for something that was donated by another person who did wonderful things in the community was actually awesome.
“That’s what we want to see that fund used for,” Davey said.
“He really was an amazing man when you look at all his accomplishments and I think when we accept a gift on behalf of the family, we have to accept the maintenance on that gift,” Mayor Rocky Gillis said. “And you know as we talk about our history it’s probably the richest thing we have, know town has the history that we have.”
Councilman Jake Skarbek said not taking care of something given to the community sets a bad precedent.
Bembas questions spending
Bembas said he felt the volunteer work he does and most do is for the self-satisfaction of doing it not to leave the city with maintenance that future generations have to keep funding.
“Then one day Rocky’s son is going to be sitting up here as mayor and paying money to fix that clock again,” Bembas said. “We’re putting ourselves in a situation where we’re spending the future’s money.”
Bembas took it a step further and said if anyone has grandkids or great grandkids today, they already know all things related to telling time are digital.
“History is great but let’s not get lost in history and not look to the future,” Bembas said. “I’d almost say let’s make that clock digital.”
He said kids are no longer taught how to tell time or even to write in cursive.
“That’s just my opinion, I think it might be a good thing if you want to keep the history fine, but look into the future and again let’s not spend the future’s inheritance on projects we like and not encumber the next generation,” Bembas said.
“We don’t want to get lost in the symbolism of things rather than practicality of things. Then one day Rocky’s son is going to be sitting up here as mayor and paying money to fix that clock again. We’re putting ourselves in a situation where we’re spending the future’s money.”
Algonac Councilman Michael Bembas
Gillis said he thinks they are just fortunate that someone loved the city enough to leave a legacy trust fund – via Milford Jackson – that in turn can fund things like the Dodge clock legacy.
Davey said she understood Bembas’ point about technology and having to keep up with the times but still felt it would be nice to have that bit of history along the waterfront.
“I think it’s important to continue to honor the people who have done so much for not just Algonac but all over,” Davey said. “Yeah, it’s going to cost us but it’s not like we are going to be spending this amount of money every year, I think it’s important to hold onto some things and this is important.”
Who knew clock didn’t work?
“He really was an amazing man (the late Donald Dodge) when you look at all his accomplishments and I think when we accept a gift on behalf of the family, we have to accept the maintenance on that gift.”
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis
Bembas then asked the members of the council if any of them knew the clock wasn’t working.
Several responded yes to wit Bembas said “but nobody ever said anything.”
“We don’t want to get lost in the symbolism of things rather than practicality of things,” he said. “I’d prefer to use the money this year to buy pool toys for the kids, things that can be used and touched and felt. Or some exercise equipment for the new trails at the Lions Field.”
“History’s great but it’s not today,” Bembas added.
Councilwoman Wendy Meldrum asked Bembas if he would have the same feelings if they were removing the statue of Gar Wood along the waterfront.
“Yes, if it meant that we were going to put something better out there, I would definitely consider it,” Bembas said.
Meldrum replied that the city isn’t in a position to afford replacing the clock and in this case, they will be preserving history.
“It’s what we have going for us so if we start not taking care of what we have then we might as well just remove everything off the waterfront,” Meldrum said.
“That’s a defeatist attitude, that is not what I said, what I said is taking things out that are not going to cost us money is a lot different than saying we are going to spend $12,000 on something that nobody even noticed wasn’t working,” Bembas said. “That’s a big, big, big difference and it’s not what I said, I never said remove anything else.”
Bembas said he’d just rather see the city find ways to get donations for the funding to repair the clock.
Councilman Skarbek then called for the question and the council unanimously approved utilizing the Milford Jackson Trust fund to renovate the clock.
