By ANDREA POTEET
Sunday Times Newspapers
RIVERVIEW – Taking a hint from some generous residents, city officials are hoping to set up a “wish list” of beautification projects they’d like to have residents sponsor.
Mayor Timothy Durand announced the idea at Monday’s city council meeting, after commending residents Michael and Miko Ceasar, who presented the idea to Durand after offering to donate the cost of new trash receptacles in Young Patriots Park.
The couple stopped Durand while he was riding his bicycle near the park a few months ago to comment on the deteriorating receptacles and paint on the Nike Missile Monument. When Durand told him the city did not have the funds to refurbish either, they offered to pay for both.
They are hoping others will follow their lead by “adopting” city-approved projects and covering their costs.
“It was really refreshing to have somebody stop you and actually have a solution for what needed to be done,” Durand said.
While soliciting bids on the repainting project they had estimated to cost about $1,000, city officials contacted local company G & M Painting, which offered a bid price they couldn’t refuse – $1, which Durand forked over during the presentation for the company and the Ceasars.
“Once they found out about the potential for doing something, they stepped right up to the plate,” Michael Ceasar said of the company, “and I’m sure a lot of other people would do that too if they knew what was available.”
No details have yet been provided on when the wish list program is to begin, but Durand said at the meeting he already has some ideas, such as replacing playground equipment in city parks.