Payette replaces stolen cannon in park
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Friday, July 31, 2009 10:47 AM PDT
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| Payette Mayor Doug Henderson proudly displays the replacement cannon at Central Park Friday. The new cannon was donated to the City of Payette by the veterans at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise. |
Payette — Thieves thought stealing a cannon from Central Park in Payette back in February was a funny thing to do, but the City of Payette did not find the offense funny at all. In fact, many members of the community, including city officials, found the offense down right offensive.
The stolen cannon is a replica of a real Civil War cannon and did not have any historical value. The real Civil War cannon is on display at the Payette County Historical Society museum. Following the story about the theft in both the Argus Observer and the Payette Independent-Enterprise, word soon got out about the city’s misfortune, and it did not take long for a solution to arise to replace the missing cannon. According to Mayor Doug Henderson, the City of Payette did not actively seek out a replacement cannon for the one that was stolen. Instead someone in the community was sending papers to the veterans at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise.
“When they (the veterans) read the story, they knew they had the answer,” Henderson said. “They contacted us and told us they had a couple of cannons and that they were in the process of a remodel and did not know what they were going to do with the cannons. When they heard of our problem they decided to give them to the City of Payette.”
July 24, the City of Payette held a special ceremony at the park to replace the stolen cannon. Henderson, along with City council members, city employees and a handful of residents came together at Central Park to witness and commemorate the new cannon placing. The Mayor gave a heart-felt speech to commemorate the replacement cannon, which was a copy of the original cannon that is on display in the city museum. A plaque will adorn the new replacement, giving thanks to those who made the donation.
“I like the fact, that when the people who took that cannon will see that it is back,” Henderson said. “In my mind there is nothing more senseless than stealing or vandalizing public property. It belongs to all of us and everyone has to pay for it. If those who are doing this are too young to pay taxes, then it’s their parents who are paying for it. So they are stealing from everyone.” Henderson added that, for some people the stolen cannon may be a little thing, but to him it is a big thing, and he was happy to have a replacement back in the park.
"I think it serves as a reminder to all who come see it the sacrifices that many individuals have made for this county," Henderson said. "And I am glad we have another back in place to carry on that honor to all those who have made those sacrifices."
