Reconsider

There’s nothing wrong with a city having pride in its local public school district. At first glance, the Abbotsford City Council’s decision to put “Home of the Falcons” on its water tower seems like a nice gesture to the hometown school mascot that generates so much pride among students, parents and alumni.

However, it’s important to remember that the Abbotsford School District is currently in early discussions with the neighboring Colby School District about consolidation. If this were to go through, the newly merged district would most certainly choose a new mascot. At that point, the “Home of the Falcons” lettering on the water tower would become outdated — many years before the tower was scheduled for another repainting.

May we suggest a different motto for the side of the water tower, perhaps “Wisconsin’s First City.” It’s a well-known nickname that has been used for the alphabetically advantaged Abbotsford for quite some time. Unless someone founded a new city called Aardvarkville, it wouldn’t be in any danger of becoming obsolete.

This would be more in line with Colby’s water tower, which proudly proclaims the city as “The Home of Colby Cheese.” No one would ever accuse Colby of not having pride in its school, but the city has its own separate identity on display.

If there is any way to change the lettering at this point in the process, we strongly suggest the council find a new motto for the water tower.

The Tribune-Phonograph editorial board consists of publisher Kris O’Leary and editor Kevin O’Brien