Buena Vista City Council member Ron Cash has big plans for Buena Vista’s participation in next year’s semiquincentennial celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Donning red, white and blue attire, Cash delivered what might be described as a rousing call for promoting patriotism on the upcoming landmark anniversary of our country. In his remarks, he announced three disparate projects he wants the city to get behind as part of the celebration.
First, he’d like to see a giant American flag flying on Inspiration Hill at the top of Glen Maury Park adjacent to the double-decker pavilion, along with a flag garden that would include a Virginia state flag and a future city flag that has not yet been designed.
Another idea Cash presented is to establish a nesting platform for the American bald eagle, symbol of America’s freedom, at Glen Maury Park along the Maury River, with a viewing platform on the floodwall river walk. In addition, he proposed installing some tall poles with cross arms on top for eagles to perch on as they survey the river for fish.
Lastly, Cash called for the city to be involved in helping to stabilize the wall of the canal lock at Ben Salem Wayside. While these remnants of the 19th century canal system are not in Buena Vista, preserving the historic artifacts at a popular recreation site along the river just outside the city is something he believes Buena Vista residents would embrace.
Cash estimated a $20,000 budget for building the flag garden at the top of the park that could be raised through private donations, rather than using city funds. He suggested having sponsors for the flag’s 50 stars at $200 apiece and the 13 stripes at $500 each. He said he’s already been putting his own loose change in vitamin bottles, having already collected more than $100.
Inspiration Hill, which can be seen from much of the city, has been the site previously for a sculpture of the Twin Towers designed by Mark Cline in commemoration of 9-11, and concrete sculptures of presidential heads that were designed for an ill-fated tourist attraction in James City County.
Cash represents Buena Vista on the Rockbridge 250 anniversary planning committee, along with Kristina Ramsey, the city’s economic development director.
Cash told those attending last week’s meeting of City Council that planning for the 250th anniversary celebration “begins tonight in your hearts and your minds right now as you think about Americanism and what America means to you. Let your heart swell with pride for what we have here in this nation and begin to think about what can I do? How can I get involved? Where can I serve? What can I do?”
