Hundreds Brave Chill to Dedicate Rexer-Jablonski Park on Water Street
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Dr. Mary Boettger opens dedication ceremonies for Rexer-Jablonski Park.
Frances Jablonski, mother of honored officer Terry Jablonski, and Elyce Rexer, widow of Ray Rexer, get help from Chris Rupp, the Deputy Chief of Police as they unveil the park sign.
Hundreds of civic types, politicoes and just curious folks shivered in the cold warmed by coffee donated by Tim Hortons and civic pride helped the City of Bay City dedicate its newest park, Rexer-Jablonski Park at Water and 19th streets.
Youngsters made good use of the new playground equipment, under close supervision of parents, their shouts punctuating the pronouncements of politicians and civic leaders doing their thing as television cameras whirred and still cameras clicked.
Dr.Mary Boettger, retired elementary school principal, and former chairman of the Columbus Avenue Citizens District Council, headed the committee that put the dedication event together; she also was on the design and construction supervision team for the project.
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Credit for the project went to the Columbus Avenue group, the Citizens District Co-ordinating Council and the Fraternal Order of Police, as well as city officials and state and federal legislators. City Planner Jim Bedell and housing aide Debbie Kiesel were credited with making arrangements for relocation of families which once occupied10 houses on the 3.3 acre park site.
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She was joined at the microphone by Mike Weiler, current chairman of the Columbus Avenue group, Judge Tim Kelly who sang the "Star Spangled Banner," U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee and State Rep. Jeff Mayes, who helped obtain funding, Mayor Robert Katt, City Manager Robert Belleman and City Commissioner James Flannery.
Rep. Kildee poignantly referred to the fact that police badges are also called shields, noting that police are often shields between the law abiding and the lawless. "Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield," God said to Abraham, Rep. Kildee noted, adding: "Too often the shield is their very body and life."
Mayor Katt quoted appropriately from Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and read the roll of local police who have died in the line of duty, Patrolman Frank Kowalkowski, State Police Trooper Delos Williams and Sheriff's Deputy Phil Kramer in addition to Rexer and Jablonski.
"It is fitting to add the names of Rexer and Jablonski to our community in a permanent way through dedication of this park," saidRep. Mayes.
Mr. Belleman, who received the National Police Week proclamation from Mayor Katt, said about the park: "This is an asset to the community, a place where families will play, rest and enjoy life. It is a tribute to the two officers who made the ultimate sacrifice."
Kids frolic on new playground equipment at Rexer-Jablonski Park while dedication ceremonies are underway
Former mayor Kathy Newsham with City Commissioner Charlie Brunner, center, and commission gadfly Robert Vandenberg, in red watch the park dedication.
Crowd bundled against the cold says the Pledge of Allegiance at the dedication of Rexer-Jablonski Park
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