Friday, November 17, 2006

Save Smiley!!!

According to Tu-Uyen, the city is going to unceremoniously destroy our beloved smiley faced water tower (read his Herald story and his blog post).

Say it ain't so!!! Smiley is one of our few recognizable landmarks in Grand Forks and thousands of people think of Smiley when they think of Grand Forks. He is our old friend who grins at us as we drive down Washington Street. He has the welcoming smile that has greeted so many visitors to our city. If we lose Smiley, we lose a part of what is "Grand Forks."

Is there no way this can be stopped? Couldn't a plea be put out for donations? Maybe all of the school children could go door to door and raise money to save Smiley. Would it be possible to just let Smiley sit in his current condition until funds are found or raised? I just don't think we can stand to lose Smiley.

13 comments:

WeatherGal said...

I know a group of people that will fight to keep Smiley. The GCBC (Grand Cities Birding Club) put nesting boxes for Peregrine Falcons up there. We've had them visit, but no families yet.

Anonymous said...

If Smiley is to be saved, it should be by donations, not taxpayer money, just like for the downtown river fountain.

Let's see if people put money where there mouth is.

Anonymous said...

The city has shown very little interest in preservation of any sort. Why start now? Rip it down.

Stonegateguy said...

are they planing on replaceing the watertower? or is it not being used anymore? if they were to build a new one in the same place... i would hope that they would make it look the same... i love Smiley watertower... heck ... it was even on the ozzy ozborn show back when he came to grand forks! how could you rip it down :(

dvjs said...

i even voted for smiley for grand forks county sheriff. he needs to stay, make it happen grand forks guy.

Anonymous said...

Rip it down. 190K is not a one time cost. It will need further maintenance in the future. Won't the city also have to insure the whacky thing if some kid climbs it, falls, and sues the city?

Anonymous said...

ozzy oxbourn was in GF??

What did he do, bite the head off a buffalo or a pigeon?

Anonymous said...

are y'all serious?? It's a freakin' watertower with a happy face on it...paint one on the one next to Purpur and tear it down for Gawds sake!
....................yeeeesh

Stonegateguy said...

here is a petition that was posted in the group "Save Mr. Smiley from demolitoin!!!" on facebook. I though i would post it here for everyone else :)
-----------------------------------
Kelsey Jacobson wrote
on Nov 23, 2006 at 6:43 PM
Happy Thanksgiving! So far, all I can get started on right now is an online petition... I am going to wait on an actual petition until I see what the city council says at their next meeting regarding Mr. Smiley since i'm out of town for the holidays.

PLEASE, sign this petition and we'll see if we even need another one!
http://www.gopetition.com/online/10268.html

Thank you!!!

Kels

Anonymous said...

That anonymous has no right to speak about the water tower, ignore that loser. It appears he's from Crookstone, MN. Worry about your own issues in Minnesota.
Save smiley all.

Anonymous said...

Well you know, i believe strongly that the smiley has given people hope. it saved my life once. i was on a telephone pole with a gun to my head when i looked over to smiley. its like he told me not to pull the trigger. he smiled at me like no other water tower had before. he gave me strength in my soul and heart. donate money to the save smiley foundation. PLEASE!!!! he needs you. like i needed him.

BEN

Anonymous said...

alright what will cost more dumb dumbs. a few repairs. OR A WHOLE NEW WATER STORAGE SYSTEM.

Anonymous said...

well you know. smiley is a very valuable piece of machinery.