This is a press release put out by the City of Porterville
The City of Porterville is proud to announce City Council approval of a new landmark monument at Veterans Park, a signature project designed to honor America’s history while serving as a centerpiece for two historic milestones, the City’s 100th anniversary as a charter city and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The approved monument will feature a 16-foot-tall granite replica of the Washington Monument, mounted on an illuminated, pentagon-shaped foundation symbolizing strength, unity, and service. The monument will include four bronze plaques depicting key moments in American history, creating a powerful and educational tribute for residents and visitors alike. A separate commemorative plaque provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution will be displayed adjacent to the monument, further enhancing the site’s historical significance.
“This monument reflects the values that George Washington stood for, courage, humility, service, and civility,” said Ed McKervey, Vice Mayor of Porterville. “The monument serves as both a tribute to our history and a reminder of the principles that hold us together. I am incredibly proud of our community for supporting a project that honors not only our past, but the example we should strive to follow moving forward.”
The monument is intended to serve as the primary visual anchor for Porterville’s 2026 commemorative events, welcoming the community into Veterans Park with a timeless symbol of patriotism, reflection, and shared heritage.
Fundraising efforts for the monument have already begun, and the City is encouraging residents, local businesses, civic organizations, and history supporters to take part in bringing this meaningful project to life. Community participation will play a vital role in completing the monument and ensuring it reflects the pride and values of Porterville.
The City is proud to partner with the Porterville Museum in support of this project. The Museum has long played an important role in preserving Porterville’s story and bringing local, state, and national history to life through education, exhibits, and community engagement. Through this partnership, the Museum is assisting with fundraising coordination and outreach efforts to help make the monument a reality.
Those interested in supporting the project through donations or sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to contact the Porterville Museum directly.
“This is an opportunity for our community to come together and leave a lasting legacy,” McKervey added. “Every contribution helps ensure this monument stands as something we can all point to with pride for generations to come.”
Additional information, fundraising updates, and project milestones will be shared as the monument moves forward toward installation.
Choices, Choices. Build a monument and battleship playground or kick the homeless to the curb.
The decision by City Council to close the armory in March to people experiencing homelessness was not simply a matter of logistics or budgets. It was a moral choice—and one that exposes the growing disconnect between the religious rhetoric some council members use and the values they claim to represent.
Council Members Rivas, McKervey, and Meister frequently frame their leadership in terms of faith and “Christian values.” Yet when confronted with the real, human need for shelter—especially during cold nights—they chose to shut the door. That choice aligns less with the teachings of Jesus and more with the behavior of the Sadducees, the religious elites of Jesus’s time who prioritized rules, authority, and appearances over mercy.
Jesus consistently challenged leaders who used religion to justify exclusion. He fed the hungry, sheltered the vulnerable, and warned against those who burdened the poor while protecting their own power. He did not ask the unhoused to solve their problems before offering compassion. He did not tell them to go somewhere else. He certainly did not close doors in their faces.
What makes the armory closure especially troubling is that the city had options. This same council majority found money for expensive pet projects—an elaborate playground and a monument designed to impress rather than serve. Funds were readily approved for these vanity projects while a basic, temporary shelter was deemed expendable.
Those dollars could have kept the armory open while permanent solutions were pursued. They could have covered staffing, security, sanitation, and coordination with service providers. Instead, the council chose symbolism over survival, spectacle over shelter.
This raises an unavoidable question: what values are truly guiding these decisions? Because prioritizing monuments while displacing vulnerable people is not fiscal responsibility, and it is not Christian compassion.
Faith, if it is to mean anything in public service, must show up in action. Using religion as a shield for harsh policies is not leadership—it is hypocrisy. Jesus spoke harshly about religious leaders who claimed righteousness while neglecting the suffering around them.
Porterville deserves better. We deserve leaders who govern with empathy, humility, and common sense—leaders who understand that caring for the least among us is not optional. It is the measure of who we are.
I think a public records foya request would prove that miester is a liar. He said police and fire were fully staffed, yet they have unfilled and refunded positions. The council preaching about public safety actually defended the police and fire for a battleship and phallic monument to repay the political action people like Wells and Flowers that apparently got them elected. Blessings of liberty, more like blm defund the police agenda. Wolves in sheep’s clothing.
164,000.00 for George. Land but no library. As one stupid person pointed out….. Use your cell. I hope you can afford internet and a cellphone.
With all of the needs that Porterville has, what a stupid and irresponsible use of public funds! I’ve heard it said that Porterville is full of “dummy dust.” So what did you do with the insurance money you got for the library? Shouldn’t that money have been spent on loss recovery? Just wondering!