Over the subsequent years I have become more educated about the water situation and the water crisis of 2001 that resulted in its placement. But I am increasingly wondering if it hasn’t served its purpose, and the time has come to move on.  

   I can understand the strong emotions tied to the event of 2001. Toward the end of my teaching career in California, our teachers’ association voted to strike over negotiations.

   Teachers wore orange T-shirts emblazoned with slogans and walked picket lines at all the schools. A strong sense of   unity existed at the time among the teachers, but when the contract was finally settled, most of us realized the job action had not accomplished anything beneficial. But some of the teachers wanted to wear their orange T-shirts one day a week to keep the spirit of solidarity alive. I was not one of them, as I wished   to look forward, not backward.

   I suppose the main argument for keeping the Main Street bucket is similar: a reminder of a unifying and emotional time in our local history. To those who participated in the bucket brigade, I’m sure it recalls an event of great meaning and emotion. Indeed it represents an artifact of community history, but after 10 years I think it now belongs somewhere else. I suggest the Klamath County Fairgrounds or the county museum as alternatives.  

   After 11 years, the bucket now sends a mixed message to residents and visitors.

   Museum director Todd Kepple, city parks director Ken Hay, and Discover Klamath director Jim Chadderdon are but a few examples of those looking forward, not backward. But keeping a reminder of the rancorous past in the most prominent location on Main Street sends a different message to those who see it.

   Although a relatively new resident, I am proud to call Klamath Falls my home, not only for its diversity, but for what is shared in common and especially a positive vision for the future, a belief that the community can and will improve.