Posted: 1/10/07
Final Draft - by Cliff Buchan
Do we get too caught up in preserving tradition?
There are times when you have to wonder if we don't get too caught up in tradition and become reluctant to accept change. Rightly or wrongly, it happens here.
It was that way when plans unfolded several years ago for the two major commercial building projects in the downtown (The Plaza and Park Place). There were objections to the razing of old downtown buildings that had been part of the landscape for nearly 100 years.
It was that way when a major park plan unfolded for Lakeside Memorial Park in the downtown. Many couldn't understand why such a drastic change in the landscape and design was necessary.
It was that way when city leaders last year ordered that the Tin Man water tower must come down. It happened in early November as the tower with no use capabilities and a high price tag to keep standing came tumbling down.
We see another battle brewing over the fate of major changes being discussed along W. Broadway Avenue from Lake Street (US-61) west to SW 19th Street west of I-35. Many can't understand or won't accept the plan for seven roundabout intersections. It's simply a change that is too hard to comprehend and accept.
People often don't like change and that can involve new traditions, a new-look downtown, a new park and a new streetscape along Broadway.
Some are now wondering if Forest Lake has any real "traditions" remaining that define the community as a place that is something special.
If there is one tradition remaining, it is the annual Fourth of July celebration sponsored by American Legion Post 225. It is an event that is as regular as clockwork. The Independence Day celebration has encountered its own challenges but continues to move forward as something constant in the fabric of Forest Lake life. It honors one of the most important events in the history of this country and is an event that encourages the public to not forget its importance.
One of the lasting legacies of a parade is the marching band. They have long been a central part of the Forest Lake parade and the appearances of the high school marching band and the city band were favorites for years. That has waned in recent years.
Budget cuts took away the high school band in 2000 and city band members who are getting no younger have continued to muster the grit to march in the hometown parade, be it on a semi-regular schedule.
Parade fans have long held out hope that the high school band would one day again march here on the Fourth of July. That hope is now nothing more than wishful thinking.
In December the school board was asked by a student if the high school marching band could be revived. A report from the administration last week outlined proposed costs that would top $178,000 if a street (parade) band and a field band for halftime shows were brought back.
There was nothing said directly last Thursday to condemn the idea, but it was clear from a budget standpoint that it will never happen. Most people like a marching band, but at what cost?
There is more to it, of course, than the cost.
When the band was pushed into moth balls in 2000 it was done so with a budget cut label, but in reality the student interest, for whatever reason, had slipped to all-time lows. It was becoming more and more difficult to energize the interest of kids to want to march. And there was instruction pressure to devote time to music performance. Class time for marching drills had to be sacrificed.
There was a time when students were rewarded for marching band participation with summer trips to attractive destinations. Now, the summer trips are replaced by European concert tours as a reward.
Austria or Wyoming? It's not hard to figure where a student's interest would be today.
Maybe it gets back to tradition. It's not uncommon to want traditions to continue. When there is no encouragement for our young people to see traditions with value continue, they are bound to slip to the shadows.
Some diehards will continue to cling to the hope that enough interest will come from the high school where talented student musicians will want to pick up their horns and drums and proudly march in Forest Lake's summer parade.
Many would be pleased if the interest would simply be enough to swell the city band ranks.
Others would be pleased because it would send a message that students do care about traditions and are willing to sacrifice their time and effort for their community. And for tradition.
Perhaps it is expecting too much?
Perhaps it is just another tradition that is dying a slow death?
And will many really care when it is gone?
Traditions deserve better.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605