To the Editor:

I do not understand all the emotion about the Brooker Trust. Mr. Brooker established a trust (years ago) bequeathing $100,000 to the City of Marion upon his and his wife’s deaths.

In 1999, city officials, knowing the details of the trust, negotiated with Mr. Brooker to receive one-half of the funds early to complete Brooker Springs, which has proven to be a beautiful addition to the park.

Now the city has the option of receiving the remaining balance of $50,000 or paying back the $50,000 they already received.

In order to get the funds, all they have to do is rename Central Park. Brooker Park still would be in the center of town. Brooker Park still would be the central location of many local events. Brooker Park still would be on Main Street for everyone to see, and, most importantly, Brooker Park still would be referred to as Central Park by everyone who has ever lived in or near Marion County.

If we wanted to keep things the same and never change, then why did the “younger generation” put so much time and effort into replacing playground equipment?

Why is the “younger generation” so active in promoting Chingawassa Days?

Why does the “younger generation” continually work on ways to get more and more people into Marion’s Central Park for Art in the Park?

Why are people dedicating memorials to loved ones to improve the park?

What does the “younger generation” think about the possibility of receiving an additional $50,000 to improve the park that children of all ages enjoy?

Wouldn’t an additional $50,000 go a long way toward helping make the park more user friendly for vendors during these events?

Wouldn’t an additional $50,000 be helpful for burying power lines, replacing sprinkler systems, planting trees, improving park equipment, or updating fountains?

What’s in a name? A rose by any other name still would smell as sweet. And Marion’s park by any other name still will be Marion’s Central Park — only with $100,000 of improvements and a different sign posted at the front.

Pick your battles, Marion. This isn’t the one worth fighting.

Jami Williams
Clay Center, formerly of Marion