Universal rounds of applause are a rare feat in government meetings. But when 9-year-old Journey Nichols took matters into her own hands to address the Marathon City Council and advocate for the children of her community, that’s exactly what she got.
By far the most popular public commenter at the council’s May 14 session, Nichols stepped to the podium to respectfully voice her concern: the height of the water fountain at Children’s Rotary Park.
“The water fountain at Rotary Park is too high for little kids, and there also isn’t a refillable water station to refill our water bottles after playing,” she told the council. “I have a picture of my brothers trying to get water, and they simply can’t reach, and they are 7 years old.
“All kids deserve to stay hydrated. It would be appreciated if the city would lower the fountain, and put in a refillable water station.”
“No problem,” Parks and Recreation Director Paul Davis told Nichols. “We will get a refillable water fountain, and we’ll make sure it’s at the proper height – 36 inches, so you can have access to water. We’ll take care of that as soon as we can.”
