Scout plans war memorial

War memorials have come and gone at Norris Park but a McCook Boy Scout wants to build something that withstands the test of time.

The McCook City Council gave its approval Monday night at the regular meeting for Trenton Klimper to proceed with plans for a memorial at the park.

The articulate, redheaded 14-year-old told the council that he is still in the planning stages but would like to install some kind of memorial in the center area of the park to acknowledge those who fought and died for our country.

Prior memorials in Norris Park included a wood structure in the 1940s to honor World War II veterans and another that was prone to vandalism and later removed. Klimper's wish is to install a monument that will "withstand the test of time," he told the council, and which would honor all branches of the military.

Klimper said everything is still in the planning stages and the project needs approval from the Boy Scouts before he can move forward. But he's researched other memorials online and visited another one in Yuma, Colo., to get an idea of what he would like to install.

Although not sure at this point what the structure eventually would look like, Klimper estimated the final costs at up to $8,000. Klimper said he would raise this through fundraising in the community with the names of local businesses and clubs and organizations engraved on the back.

The council encouraged him to continue with his plans and commended him for his initiative.

Klimper first approached Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff with the project at a McCook Park Board meeting. Potthoff told the council that he "personally supports" the project and thought it would be a great addition to Norris Park, with the current renovation underway.

The Eagle Scout designation is the highest rank in Boy Scouts and requires a community project to be completed.

The Boy Scouts made another appearance at the council meeting Monday night, as Troop 132 received a $400 donation from Public Alliance for Community Energy for the scout's work in placing door hangers announcing the annual Choice Gas selection period and promoting ACE.

Since 1998, ACE has returned more than $845,000 to its member communities for their local use.