ELY – At the request of the Ely Tourism Bureau, the city council here will honor a longtime Chamber of Commerce executive director by renaming a portion of Seventh Avenue, adjacent to Whiteside Park, as Linda Fryer Lane.
For nearly 25 years, Linda Fryer was the leader of the Ely Chamber of Commerce as the organization quadrupled its membership, enlarged this community’s traditional summer festival, and launched a second Ely festival in the fall.
Fryer was essentially one of Ely’s top salespersons, promoting the region as a destination point at sports shows and tourism conferences around the state and Midwest. She died on Jan. 13 at the age of 72.
During her time, the Ely Chamber launched a series of promotional campaigns that attracted statewide, regional and even national media attention. The annual April Fool’s Day spoofs, including one that claimed that Ely was being purchased by Canada, generated thousands of dollars in free publicity for the community.
Like most Ely residents, Linda spent her free time fishing, hunting, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling. In 1988, Linda took a position as Administrative Director of the Ely Chamber of Commerce and made it her professional goal to tell the world of her personal love for Ely. Upon announcing her retirement in 2013, it was said, “there are people you can’t replace and there is not another Linda Fryer.”
“Linda did a great number of things for tourism development and economic development in Ely and was instrumental in the development of our Blueberry/Arts Festival and Harvest Moon Festival, so we thought the location of the street in her honor in front of the park would be fitting,” said Ely Tourism Bureau executive director Cindy Smyka to the city council last week.
The one-block portion of Seventh Avenue from Sheridan to Harvey streets will be renamed in Fryer’s honor.
“I shared this information with (current chamber leader Eva Sebesta) and she was very, very happy to hear that,” said Ely Clerk-Treasurer Harold Langowski. He added that the chamber of commerce is also looking at developing a memorial garden at the chamber facility in Fryer’s honor.
“All we really have to do is order up a couple of street signs and put them up,” Langowski said. “We can then determine what kind of ceremony we would like to have to unveil them.”
“I think during Blueberry/Arts would be a wonderful time to have a tribute,” Smyka added. “Or as a kick-off to our Farmer’s Markets and the summer season.”
Mayor Roger Skraba said the council will look to approve the street name change at the June 7 regular council meeting. “There are no addresses that need to be changed that we are aware of,” he said.
“Whiteside Park is the only address on that street and that is 28 S. Seventh St.,” Langowski added.
Other business
In other business, the council:
• Heard from Smyka, the city’s Tourism Bureau leader, about the organization’s annual marketing update.
• Heard from Langowski that the city’s Telecommunications Advisory Board is working on updating the city’s webcams. Two cameras at the intersection of Central Avenue and Sheridan Street, one pointed east and the other pointed west, will likely be installed soon. The webcam views would be available on the city’s website and public access television.
• Heard from the Ely Public Library Board that a street dance is being planned for Friday, Aug. 19. More information to follow.
• Approved a recommendation from the Park and Recreation Board to allow for half-day rentals at the Rec Center for $50, in addition to full-day rentals, which increase to $100.
• Approved a recommendation from the Projects Committee to delay the real estate listing for the sale of the former State Department of Revenue Building on Miners Drive to allow due diligence to determine if the building can be used by the Ely Regional Community Complex.
• Approved a recommendation from the Cemetery Committee to hire David Klaesges, Samuel Hunter, Jon Ojala and Jean Zaverl for the Cemetery Summer Work Crew.
• Approved a quote of $21,000 for the Whiteside Park bronze sculpture foundation construction from C and C Winger, Inc. The Donald G. Gardner Trust awarded a $15,000 grant to the city for the work. Langowski said the sculptures are delayed and will likely be installed in August and October.
• Approved a request from the Ely Community Health Center for $3,900 in American Rescue Plan funds.
• Moved the draft resolution authorizing the number of short term rentals in the city to the May 31 study session for more discussion.
• Approved a temporary liquor license for the Ely Fire Relief Association for July 2, and July 29-31 at Whiteside Park.