More than 250,000 Peace Poles, like the ones seen above, have been installed throughout the world carrying the message “May Peace Prevail On Earth.” Pat Fisher wants to bring some of the landmarks to Keizer.
Pat Fisher is on a mission to bring a little more peace and harmony to Keizer.
The longtime volunteer for the city recently finished her tenure on the Keizer Charter Review Committee and is stepping aside from her role on the Keizer Traffic Safety, Bikeways and Pedestrian Committee, but she was back in front of the Keizer Parks Board and the Keizer City Council in the past week pitching a new idea, bringing Peace Poles to several Keizer locations.
“There are already 250,000 Peace Poles around the world and several in the Willamette Valley, but there are none in Keizer,” Fisher told members of the Keizer Parks Advisory Board. “They are meant to represent a symbol of the unity and harmony within the community and hope for a greater culture of peace worldwide.”
The poles, which resemble freestanding fence posts, come in different shapes and sizes, but each one contains the message: May Peace Prevail On Earth. Depending on how large the pole is, the same phrase is written in four or eight languages.
“I think we would have English and Spanish on each pole, but we could decide what other languages to include as a community,” Fisher said.
Fisher is embarking on the project as a member of the Rotary E-Club of One World that meets exclusively online, even when there isn’t a worldwide pandemic.
Between the Rotary Club of Keizer and the Keizer Community Foundation, as well as private donations, Fisher is hoping to secure $2,030 for the purchase of 10 peace poles for placement throughout Keizer.
The members of the parks board and council were both receptive to the idea. The parks board endorsed Fisher’s hopes to place poles in Keizer Rapids Park near the Keizer Rotary Amphitheater, Keizer Little League Park, Country Glen Park and Wallace House Park. Businesses would also be welcome to provide space for a pole on their property.
City Councilor Roland Herrera proved to be an enthusiastic ally in both venues.
“I talked with a cousin who runs the parks in the town where I was born and he said the large pole they have there is almost never vandalized. They don’t touch it, like its sacred,” Herrera said at the Keizer city council meeting Monday, June 15.
Members of the Keizer Public Arts Commission are also interested in versions of the poles that are made for decorating by local artists.
It may be a sign of the turbulent times, but even Fisher seemed somewhat taken aback by the eager responses.
“It’s even more timely now than when I first started on this project,” Fisher told the Keizer City Council.