Former Mayor Frank Campbell Monday presented the Hastings City Council with a check for $41,502.05, fulfilling his pledge that the city would be paid back for its help with the early costs of the Hastings Veterans Memorial.

While he was mayor, Campbell pushed for the monument, promising to raise the money the city spent during the project to assure taxpayers would not be obligated to pay the bill. He only asked that the monument be finished before he retired at the end of his term.

 

A budget amendment to allow the city to add funds to make up a shortfall for the construction of the monument was approved by the council in July 2016.

 

“This has been a long time coming,” Campbell said. “I don’t know the names of all the people who helped with the project, but there were a great number...I especially want to thank the city council who helped me when I was mayor.”

 

He also named Councilman Don Smith, for his drive to getting the monument done. “You can’t see a lot of what he did, it’s underground. He started it and others joined in. There were many, many, others who gave what they could.”

 

The money was held at the Barry Community Foundation as it was raised, with two anonymous donors helping meet the goal, Campbell said.

The total cost of the work on the monument was $74,202.05, with the city’s contribution $41,502.05, the amount of the check.

 

Mayor Dave Tossava, who accepted the check for the city, said Campbell was the reason there is a monument. “Without Frank, this would never have been done. Thank you, Frank.”

 

Campbell is still accepting donations for upkeep costs such as replacing flags or lights and possibly two more monuments that he said should be added to the display at the entrance of Tyden Park; the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Gold Star Mothers.

 

Donations can be sent to the Barry Community Foundation to the Hastings Veterans Monument Fund. The monument was formally dedicated to the city in a ceremony on Memorial Day.

 

Photos: (upper left)The Hastings Veterans Monument

 

(middle left) Former Mayor Frank Campbell, left, presents a check to current Mayor David Tossava covering the cost the city’s contribution to the Hastings Veterans Monument.

 

(upper right) Former Mayor Frank Campbell enjoys a laugh with the Hastings City Council before his check presentation.