Honoring The Late Ward D Councilman Michael Yun

Altrusa will erect a sculpture in the northeast quadrant of Four Corners Park without the controversy that faced plans for another sculpture in the southeast quadrant last fall.

The Coldwater City Council approved the installation on March 25 of the classic Randolph Rose Collection bronze sculpture "Reading Buddies."

According to past president Carrie Stout, the 47 current local members of Coldwater Altrusa International raised $19,000 for the art piece featuring a boy and a girl reading at each end of a bench with space in between for people to sit.

Stout said, "Bronze is an incredibly durable material that withstands all sorts of weather conditions, and it assures us the sculpture will be around for generations."

Altrusa presented the sculpture to the city to encourage literacy. The group gave the sculpture, "As a symbol of our commitment to the community and to its improvement, both through continued beautification of our Four Corners Park."

The group adopted that corner of Four Corners Park in 1984 and maintains flowers there.

The corner is also home to the Farmer's Market for 13 weeks during the summer.

Another sculpture proposed for the park's southeast quadrant did not receive a similar enthusiastic welcome last November.

Councilman John Petzko and his two daughters provided seed money for the fountain to honor his late wife and their mother, councilwoman Maureen Petzko.

The family suggested, with City Manager Keith Baker, a stylistic modern 15-foot sculpture by Fritz Olsen from the 2023 Grand Rapids Art Walk.

Jersey City unveiled a bronze statue of the late Councilman Michael Yun, marking the fourth anniversary of his passing. The sculpture, placed prominently at the corner of Central Avenue and Bowers Street, outside Yun’s former office and the location of Garden State News, which he owned, symbolizes the enduring legacy of a man who devoted himself to the service of Jersey City.

Councilman Yun, who represented Ward D, was first elected to the council in 2013. His tenure was abruptly cut short in 2020 when he succumbed to complications from COVID-19.

Born in South Korea, Yun emigrated to the United States at the age of 24, embodying the American Dream through his political ascent and profound community engagement in Jersey City. His work and commitment to the people he served have left an indelible mark on the city, a testament to his character as a public servant and a family man, celebrated not only for his role in governance but also as a father, husband, and grandfather.

The city of Jersey City described the unveiling of the statue as a “touching memorial” to Yun, emphasizing that his “presence will remain as a reminder of his service to Jersey City.”

“It was heartwarming to see everyone who supported this year’s butterfly walk. Our hope is that it continues to grow year after year. Having Gerald’s sculpture unveiled that day will be a memory so dear to my heart,” says Gerald’s widow, Mary Donovan.

Gerald’s family says he would often sit on the bench outside the old entrance to Rod ‘N’ Reel Restaurant. Many people didn’t know who he was or all the things he had done for the town and Rod ‘N’ Reel, but they say he liked it that way. He enjoyed hearing how much the visitors were enjoying their time in Chesapeake Beach. You can now find his statue in the courtyard, outside the CBQ restaurant.

“Seeing so many people come by the resort, sitting on the bench and enjoying the sculpture has been wonderful. We miss him dearly but are so thankful for the time we had with him,” says Mrs. Donovan.

Rod ‘N’ Reel provided a special lunch and dinner for employees on Tuesday to celebrate Mr. Donovan’s birthday. Rod ‘N’ Reel gaming also held $75 Free Play Door Prize Drawings at every Bingo Session in his honor. 

Mr. Donovan was well known and loved in the community. Even a recent Google Review of the resort mentioned his name.

“I went to the resort and was happy to see a large poster photograph of Gerald Donovan in the lobby near the elevator. I am happy to see they haven’t forgotten that hard working and generous man,” posted Roseanna Vogt. 

Mr. Donovan was a visionary and was devoted to building his town and his business. Today, when you come to Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort, you can see great things are coming. Redesigning the complex was his brainchild and his legacy.