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Lincoln American Legion Post 263 supports referendum for the Logan County Courthouse, the Legion's birthplace

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To the editor:

During its monthly membership meeting this week, Lincoln American Legion Post 263 voted without opposition to support and endorse the referendum on ballots next week to impose a half-cent sales tax with all proceeds earmarked for needed repairs and improvements to the Logan County Courthouse.

Of course, the iconic structure on the downtown Lincoln square is historically significant and it holds a lofty position in Logan County’s inventory of genuine landmarks.  There is no doubt repairs need to be made to the roof and picturesque dome of this beautiful building to stop water leaks that have threatened the structural integrity of the building. 

But that work is only a start of what’s needed to bring the courthouse up to today’s standards in heating, cooling, ventilation and, perhaps more importantly than those factors, the safety of the public and county employees who call the building their workplace.

A consultant estimates it will take about $8 million to accomplish everything that needs to be done.

Local veterans support the sales tax increase because they understand the importance of this building as the center of Logan County government.  But the courthouse takes on a much bigger role for county residents who have served their country in the branches of the military.  The first floor contains a special and quite extensive display saluting more than 6,000 county residents who have served in their country’s armed forces.  The names of all those veterans, dating back to folks who had served in Gen. George Washington’s revolutionary forces, are on plaques in this special display.

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That public and visible salute stays current.  Last week, during a ceremony in the courthouse rotunda, a new plaque was added to the display to include the names of Logan County veterans who have fought America’s War on Terror over the past 30 years. 

Longtime Legion member C. Wayne Schrader also added another reason for local veterans to revere the courthouse as somewhat of a shrine.  Schrader told his fellow legionnaires that the birthplace of Legion Post 263 was the basement of the courthouse.  Charter members of the post gathered there for the first American Legion meetings in Lincoln in 1919, Schrader told the meeting.

Those are reasons why the Logan County Courthouse holds a special place in the hearts and minds of veterans.  Our post encourages voters to support the sales tax referendum when you cast your primary ballots next week.  It’s worth noting that the tax will expire in 20 years.

For those who opt not to request a Democrat or Republican ballot, you can still vote to support the added sales tax by asking only for a non-partisan ballot, which includes the tax question.

Robert Sullivan
Commander of Lincoln American Legion Post 263

[Posted March 13, 2020]

 

 

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