LARRY HATTEBERG introduces MAYOR CARL BREWER

Mayor Carl Brewer behind the podium inside the Mid-America All-Indian Center.

Thank you Larry! Good evening! Wasn’t that exciting? And there is more excitement on the way. The fireworks will begin at 9:45 PM. But before we do that celebration, as the Mayor of this great City, I am proud to have the opportunity to honor the many people that have worked so hard on this magnificent project with a small token of appreciation.

It is a one-of-a-kind City of Wichita silver and gold coin. This coin has been specially made for this event. It features the Keeper of the Plains on one side, and our City seal, with the date of today’s dedication. It has been minted, and it comes with a certificate of authenticity. It is a pure silver medallion, with 24 karat gold plating. There are only a few that were made… and I’m proud to present one to the people that worked on this.

As I mentioned earlier tonight, there were many things that needed to happen before we arrived at the completion of this project. So certainly, first and foremost, I want to thank our present and former City Council members that supported this project. As I say their names, if they would please stand to be recognized… they are:

• Former Mayor Bob Knight
• Former Mayor Carlos Mayans
• Carl Brewer
• Joan Cole
• Sharon Fearey
• Bill Gale
• Paul Gray
• Phil Lambke
• Jeff Longwell
• Joe Pisciotte
• George Rogers
• Susan Schlapp
• Jim Skelton
• And on behalf of our friend, Bob Martz… may he rest in peace… I would like his wife, Sandy to stand and accept his gift.

I also want to thank our City Staff. I believe this is one of the most unique projects the City has ever undertaken. I’m proud of the results. And I’m proud of the staff. If they can stand to be recognized, they are:

• George Kolb, City Manager
• Chris Carrier, Public Works Director
• Steve Lackey, Former Public Works Director
• Jim Armour, City Engineer
• Mike Lindeback, Former City Engineer
• Ed Martin, Building Services
• Jim Mayer, Building Services
• Mike Tom & Mike Foster, Construction Inspectors

There are three people I would like to honor now that have went far above and beyond on this project. First – the mastermind behind this entire project – Kurt Skinner, Landscape Architect – formerly with Law Kingdon.

Kurt researched the history, he discovered so much about our heritage and managed to put it together in an interpretive way. He saw what this could be and designed it in a way that we would not only be proud of this today… but that our children would be proud of it some day…. Kurt, please stand to be recognized. Congratulations on a job well done for the citizens of Wichita!

Of course, the second person that I want to recognize is our Public Works Special Projects Engineer – Stan Breitenbach. Now, Kurt designed everything… but it was up to Stan to make it work. And we all know that sometimes is difficult to do! As deadlines have been approaching, Stan has been out here for many long days to be sure that it was done right. I am told that for Kurt and Stan… this project has almost been like another child for them. They have watched it grow before their very eyes. Their dedication to this project, and therefore the citizens of Wichita, should be commended. Stan, please stand!

Chris Cherches did not live long enough to see his dream become a reality. His widow Susan Cherches, received a hug from Mayor Carl Brewer, who thanked her for her husband's efforts on behalf of the citizens of Wichita.

And now… I would like to honor Mr. Chris Cherches. I would like to ask his wife, Susan, to come up here with me…

Susan, those of us that worked with Chris know how dedicated he was to the City. He worked tirelessly to improve our City. Chris had seen the vision of what this City could be. He always said that he wanted to leave Wichita a better place than when he found it. And he certainly did with this project. We passed the funding to proceed with this project on Chris’ last day as City Manager on December 30, 2003. I remember his excitement when he heard the vote in favor of proceeding. I am sad that he is not here to see this dream become a reality. But I do believe he is up in the heavens looking down on us right now… with a big smile.

Susan, please take this coin as a small token of Wichita’s appreciation to your husband for his vision… his courage… and his dedication to Wichita…

Give Susan coin… hug

TURN OVER TO LARRY HATTEBERG

LARRY Introduces LAW KINGDON
LAW KINGDON SPEAKS
At the conclusion of their speech, give them a coin and thank them for their great work.

LARRY Introduces DONDLINGER
MARTY DONDLINGER SPEAKS
At the conclusion of their speech, give them a coin and thank them for their great work.

LARRY Introduces HNTB
HNTB SPEAKS
At the conclusion of their speech, give them a coin and thank them for their great work.

LARRY introduces MAYOR one more time

Thank you Larry. I am pleased to thank the great contractors that we had working on the project. Their designs truly have changed the skyline of Wichita for future generations. When I call your name, please stand for recognition and to receive your coin. We will get it to you.

• Wildcat Construction
• Wilson & Company
• EDWA, Inc.
• Heartstone Construction Company
• Genesis Structures
• Heartstone Construction Company
• Atlas Electric
• Greteman Group
• Chris Bruner
• Metalpros LLC
• American Mechanical
• TriMark Signworks
• Coreslab Structures
• Green-Glo
• Stone Masons, Inc.

Well, I think that wraps up the list of people and companies that have worked on this project. What is truly amazing about all of these people is that they were all working together to build something magnificent for future generations to enjoy- the River Corridor Improvement Project and Keeper of the Plains Plaza. That can-do spirit and respect for the Native Americans, and the desire to adequately retell their story, is the reason that this project is already a big success.

I know that we have been focusing on the many aspects of the River Corridor, but there are still much more items included in this project. There are also riverbank landscaping, and the creation of bike/pedestrian paths along both sides of the Arkansas River for easier walking access and landscaping and the development of the USS Wichita commemorative plaza. This beautiful monument to Wichita’s namesake ship is something that should be seen.

Well… I know we didn’t think we made it but we did! We have thanked everyone that worked on this project. However… there is still more to thank… and that would be YOU! I am proud to say that we have provided everyone with a token coin to remember this event with. It is a bronze coin with the same design as the one we gave out to our dedicated contractors. We hope you enjoy these coins… As you leave for Exploration Place, you will get your coin!!! Remember to keep that coin – that’s your entrance pass to Exploration Place!

Thanks to you all for what you do and have done to make Wichita a better place to live, work, play and visit. And now, I’d like to turn it back over to Larry Hatteberg … Larry…

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