HUMBOLDT — New “Welcome to Humboldt” signs could be in the making thanks to Allie Utley, granddaughter of the late Dick Davis, baseball historian and founder of Humboldt’s Walter Johnson and George Sweatt Fan Club.
Utley most recently spearheaded the erection of a sign along U.S. 169 south of town recognizing hometown baseball greats Johnson and Sweatt.
Utley, an Iola native who now lives in Overland Park and is an active organizer, plans to apply for a grant through the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Rural Murals program to help replace Humboldt’s aging signs on the south and north entrances to town. They were installed in 2009.
Discussion at Monday’s Humboldt Council meeting was favorable and included talk of a more modern look for the welcome signs. The city would match the state’s share of funding if Utley were successful in securing the grant, which has a limit of $7,500.
As for the baseball greats, Utley said Tuesday afternoon that she hopes they can be incorporated into a new design. “Obviously, they are near and dear to me. Perhaps the welcome sign can be a snapshot of Humboldt that gives a subtle nod to Walter Johnson and George Sweatt.”
“They had a large impact on the town, but certainly are not its only focus.”
COUNCIL members also discussed the city’s policy regarding Election Day signs placed on public property. Currently, there is no ordinance that limits the period they can be posted either before or after an election.
City Administrator Cole Herder said the issue comes up “every election year” and would appreciate some clarity.
Herder recalled a public gathering held during the period before the 2022 referendum to continue giving women limited access to abortion when participants wanted to display their signs on the downtown square.
“I had to intervene,” he said. “We can allow them to hold signs, but not plant them in the ground or tie them to the water tower.”
Council agreed City Attorney Fred Works should investigate some sort of resolution.
MARCIA DAVIS and Patrick Zirjacks of Thrive Allen County invited council members to attend Thrive’s annual Community Conversation at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 26 at the high school cafeteria.
“It’s a great space for everyone to share their ideas on how things are going in Humboldt as well as what they would like to see happen,” Davis said.
Thrive is also sponsoring a community vaccination clinic with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 at the Humboldt Library.
Vaccines will include those for flu, Covid-19 and shingles. No appointments are necessary. Transportation will be provided by Allen Regional Transit. Call 620-228-0463 for a ride.
