Tower | Photo by Roxanne Roessner | Edited by Kayli Thompson | The Wright State Guardian
Near the end of August, Coldwater, Ohio watched a Trump 2020 banner be hung on the Sycamore Group water tower. Mixed reactions came from those in Coldwater, especially when it was believed that it was a village-owned tower.
“Trump Tower”
The “Trump Tower”, as many locals call it, has received much discussion within the community of Coldwater, a village ten minutes from Celina.
Dan Bruns, the owner of the water tower in question and Bruns Construction shed light on the situation. Specifically, he answered how one comes to own a water tower.
When the New Idea Farm Agricultural Facility went up for sale, Bruns Construction bought it and the water tower was included. It has since been put out of commission but has been a sort of billboard for the Sycamore Group.
“I feel so strong about Donald Trump, and be that we are a conservative company and have been all of our lives, I really support him because we want our country to be stronger and greater. So I decided to put a banner up,” said Bruns.
Contrary to popular belief, the water tower is privately owned and the Trump 2020 banner was paid out-of-pocket by Bruns himself.
According to Bruns, he received the full support of the community and is grateful that he is able to express himself by displaying the banner on his private tower.
A word from the community
Health Care Products employee Regina Dues had this to say over social media about the tower that is located not only almost in her backyard, but also at her place of work.
“This is where I work, yes that is a Trump 2020 poster on our water tower. YES, I’m proud to be a part of this community,” said Dues.
Community member Shannon Woeste had a different view on the situation.
“I’m happy people are able to have their own beliefs and freedom of speech, but that flag being displayed on a massive water tower (although it’s privately owned) symbolizes [that] the whole town is a diehard Trump supporter. That’s far from the truth. I don’t think it’s right or wrong, I just think it’s sad. Politics seem to be people’s main focus. It tears everyone apart, unfortunately,” said Woeste.
The first amendment
Bruns’s main concern with being interviewed was having people terrorize his property and buildings due to backlash. He asks that people respect his first amendment right in being able to express his political beliefs.
According to Bruns, he does not intend for his banner to create a divide within the community.
“I talked to the local police department, which I support 100 percent because I want that protection if I need it. They were very receptive because they are all for protecting people and property,” said Bruns.
He also mentioned another banner that will be put up on the water tower but gave no indication of what it would be.
The Village of Coldwater was able to experience the first amendment in a way that it has never before. Gone are the days of simple signs in yards, now is the time for banners on water towers.
