Sultan resident Christina Nelson presented to Sultan City Council and Mayor Carolyn Eslick on Thursday, Oct. 23, providing them with an overview of the progress she's made on her American flag project.
Nelson approached council at the end of August and presented her vision of re-establishing the tradition of lining Main Street in Sultan with American flags during holidays and other special events. Her endeavors are being enthusiastically supported by her fianc+¬, Sgt. First Class Dave Sivewright, who is also known as the Highway 2 Freedom Runner.
Sivewright can often be seen running with "Old Glory,GÇ¥ a four-foot by six-foot American flag, along U.S. 2 near Sultan and Gold Bar. His dedication has inspired many, including 8-year-old Tyee Eliason from Gold Bar, who after meeting Sivewright, decided that he wanted to run with a flag, as well.
Nelson shared that she got the idea for the project one evening while walking through downtown Sultan with Sivewright.
"Dave and I went for a walk last summer on Main Street in Sultan,GÇ¥ explained Nelson. "We started talking about the American flags on Main Street in Monroe and the enjoyment and sense of pride we both felt when we saw them.GÇ¥
After doing some further research, Nelson learned that Sultan did have flags on display up until the early 1990s, but no one seemed to know why the tradition waned or what happened to the original flags. She learned that residents had enjoyed the flags when they had been there.
"I felt like this was something that would add to our community and I thought it was something I could accomplish,GÇ¥ said Nelson. "So I set my mind to making it happen!GÇ¥
Nelson has worked assiduously since August fundraising for her American flag project. Deciding to develop the project in phases, she hopes to have the first phase completed in time for Sultan's Veteran's Day Celebration which will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Veteran's Memorial Wall at 1st and Main Street.
Essentially, the project entails drilling 12-inch deep holes into the sidewalk, into which removable flag poles can be inserted during notable city events and holidays. Each hole will be lined with conduit and tightly capped when the hole is not being occupied by a flagpole. To preserve the longevity of both the flags and the poles, they will be placed on display only during certain special occasions throughout the year.
Each 12-foot pole will feature an American flag that measures three-feet by five-feet.
She provided council with an update on her progress.
"It's looking good. The goal is Veteran's Day for the first part of it, so we hope to make that,GÇ¥ said Nelson. "It's aggressive but I think it's doable.GÇ¥
So far, Nelson has raised enough money to purchase the materials needed for the first phase of the project which will line Main Street with flags from 1st through 3rd Street. Eventually, Nelson hopes to expand her project so that Main Street will accommodate flags from 1st to 10th Streets. With the $2,500 in donations that Nelson has raised thus far, she has purchased the first 40 flags, the poles and the necessary miscellaneous hardware.
Each person who chooses to contribute $30 or more can opt in to have their name engraved on a brass plate as an official American Flag program sponsor. Each plate will measure 1 inch by 2 -+ inches and will be secured to each individual flag pole. The engraving will be performed on a volunteer basis by Sultan resident Bob Klement.
To Nelson, the idea of community contribution is an important component of the project.
"I've actually had two companies offer to fund the entire project and I chose not to accept those offers because I really want to keep this a community project,GÇ¥ said Nelson. "I prefer to see 96 different brass plates with 96 different families that have helped.GÇ¥
Nelson has met with Sultan Public Works Director Mick Matheson and Public Works Field Supervisor Connie Dunn to discuss the placement of the holes in the sidewalk along with the appropriate method for drilling them. Safety considerations were also discussed so as to alleviate any potential hazards when the flagpoles are not on display.
The rental equipment needed to construct the holes will be paid for with funds raised by Nelson.
To mitigate any risk of damage to the sidewalk, the holes will be tightly capped so that water cannot get trapped inside when not in use. This was important to Matheson, as well as Councilmember Bob McCarty, who were both concerned that, with water's tendency to expand when frozen, the sidewalk could eventually crack and split.
Additionally, the caps will lie flush with the ground, so as not to become an obstruction to citizens as they walk on the sidewalk.
Nelson thanked Sultan City Council for their time and consideration.
"We're on track and I just want to say thank you for the support,GÇ¥ said Nelson.
To donate to the American Flag project, please visit the gofundme page which is located here: http://www.gofundme.com/americanflagproject. Donations can also be made in person at Coastal Community Bank, which is located 425 Main St. in Sultan.
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