HUMBOLDT — In 15 months Confederate raiders with come to burn Humboldt again, just as they did during the Civil War. This time it will be a reenactment, though in much the same place that it occurred more than 150 years ago, in the downtown area.
Humboldt council members gave unanimous approval to a proposal to move Civil War Days to the downtown square Monday night. Previously it occurred every other year in Camp Hunter Park, at the southwest edge of town. The park is named for the camp that housed Union troops during the war between the states.
Carolyn Whitaker, who has the lead role in putting the historic event together, told council members having the reenactment downtown would be truer to history, since that was where two wartime raids occurred.
Streets around Humboldt’s storied square will be closed to accommodate the festival on Oct. 18, 2018. Whitaker also thinks it will have more of a draw being downtown and will give local merchants a boost.
A BASIN at the water plant was drained last week to remove carbon sediment and accommodate repairs. “Overall, the basin was in much better condition that I expected, but there are some significant issues that we’ll eventually have to deal with,” said City Administrator Cole Herder. “The scrapers that prevent sediment build-up haven’t worked for around 15 years, and not replacing them very soon no longer will be an option.”
Also, Herder said a project plan had been submitted to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for zebra mussel treatment. “We’re waiting for a response on our request for a permit,” he said.
OTHER NEWS:
— Barbara Anderson, Kansas Department of Commerce representative, recognized the Humboldt Speedway with a business appreciation certificate.
— Steve Samuelson, Kansas Department of Agriculture, gave the city a plaque and said it was one of 35 cities and counties, totaling about 700, that received a flood insurance award. The upside is Humboldt residents who purchase flood insurance will receive a 5 percent discount on premiums.
— Scheduled a special meeting for 6 p.m. July 24 to prepare the 2018 budget for publication and a Aug. 14 public hearing. Council members will receive budget proposals a few days ahead.
— Herder said he was monitoring trash being dumped illegally in dumpsters in Camp Hunter Park. Trash is found weekly in dumpsters that obviously didn’t come from park users, such as construction debris and household waste, some, Herder suspects, coming from people living outside of Humboldt.
