City to seek partnership in new veterans memorial

The City Council directed staff members last night to explore ways to build a veterans memorial in the city. The suggestion by Councilman Dennis Michael to work with private groups including the Veterans of Foreign Wars for a public/private partnership was supported by the rest of the council. The decision was made at a special meeting meant to discuss budget issues.

There are currently three sites honoring military veterans in the city -- at the Amethyst Fire Station, Alta Loma High School and Northtown Community Center. There are plans to build a larger memorial in Central Park but lack of funding has stalled efforts to further develop the park.

Resident and war veteran Bill Hanlon has been vocal about the need for a veterans memorial built by the city. In the Opinion page of yesterday's paper, Hanlon reiterated his wish for a memorial.