LAKE COUNTY >> Due to lack of maintenance, the Health and Veterans Services Departments are looking for a new home for the Wall of Honor in the Lake County Courthouse Building.
The wall was erected in 2003 and has not been maintained since. A work schedule was not developed originally because the wall was supposed to be up temporarily. Instead, he has stayed in place for 14 years.
To further complicate matters, the agency that had requested the wall no longer exist.
The Wall of Honor was created to recognize the men and woman in the county who served overseas in war zones. County officials and the Board of Supervisors intend to keep it in place — the only question is where.
Health Services Director Denise Pomeroy said his team wants to relocate the wall to the Veterans Service Office across the street from the county building. He pointed out they have the staff and ability to maintain and update it.
“An option that has been offered is that the Veterans Service Officer and his staff have offered to move the Wall to their office across the street and not just have it represent people in time of war, but all veterans of the county,” Pomeroy said.
Veterans Officer Saul Sanabria said it would be easier to maintain the wall if it was in their space instead of in the county building. This way they do not have to designate someone to stay in their office during upkeep.
“Not only do we have the space but we have the staff to focus on what the wall represents,” Sanabria.
Board Chair and District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith said he would like to keep the wall there if is not going to be something to replace it. The county building gets a lot of traffic and many people stop by to look at the wall and read all the names.
“My first thought is, it would be a good idea to move it to maintain it, but I would still like something here as people walk through the courthouse,” Smith said. “I would hate to see it totally moved and not get the public attention that it deserves where most the public passes it entering the courthouse.”
If something small was put in place, had good upkeep and let others know that the bigger wall with more names was located at the Veterans Office, Smith said he would be okay with that.
Further discussion and options for a replacement will considered and brought before the Board at a later date. In the meantime, the wall will remain where it is in the county building.
