Gaithersburg Dedicates Sculpture of Former Mayor Ed Bohrer (PHOTOS & VIDEO)
There’s a new addition to the city of Gaithersburg’s Art in Public Places program.
Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman and City Councilmembers have dedicated a sculpture that depicts former Mayor W. Edward Bohrer, Jr..
The late mayor’s family joined city officials for the ceremony at Bohrer Park on Monday evening.
Created by Montgomery County artist and former Gaithersburg resident Jay Carpenter, the sculpture depicts the mayor seated on a bench, gazing out across the city he loved.
“It was Ed’s vision that helped our City grow in a way that was thoughtful and respectful, allowing people of all economic backgrounds, all cultures, and from all walks of life to proudly call this their home,” said Mayor Jud Ashman at the dedication ceremony. “Just a couple of weeks ago we were informed that Gaithersburg, for the second year in a row, earned the ranking as the most diverse City in America. Ed would have loved that!”
Bohrer was born and raised in Gaithersburg. He served as Mayor from 1986 until his passing while in office in 1998.
According to a city news release, the Bohrer Sculpture was funded by Equity Residential, owners of the Gaithersburg Station apartments on East Diamond Avenue in Olde Towne. It is now part of Gaithersburg’s Art in Public Places program, which features more than 20 installations scattered in neighborhoods and commercial areas throughout town. The program helps to promote the arts and instill a sense of place for those who live and work here.
The sculpture dedication also served as the kick-off of a year’s worth of activities to celebrate Gaithersburg’s 20 years of involvement with the CHARACTER COUNTS!® program. Gaithersburg officially became a CHARACTER COUNTS! City in 1996, participating in this national program that encourages ethical behavior by reinforcing the values of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Former Mayor Bohrer was instrumental in bringing the program to Gaithersburg.
Also at the dedication ceremony, the 50+ members of the Washington Grove Elementary School Chorus who entertained the crowd. Washington Grove was one of the first local schools to adopt the CHARACTER COUNTS! program 20 years ago and it has been involved with the program ever since. County Councilmember Sidney Katz, a former Mayor of Gaithersburg and dear friend of Mayor Bohrer’s, also attended the event, along with Kevin Mack representing Congressman John Delaney. Also joining in the dedication were District 17 Senator Cheryl Kagan and Delegates Kumar Barve and Jim Gilchrist. Mayor Bohrer’s wife, Sharon Bohrer Mears, addressed the crowd gathered at the ceremony on behalf of the entire Bohrer family.
Mayor @judashman and the Bohrer family officially cut the ribbon on the Mayor Ed Bohrer sculpture. pic.twitter.com/OB0iOmvWT4
— City of Gaithersburg (@GburgMD) May 23, 2016
.@GburgMD Mayor Ed Bohrer and friends. pic.twitter.com/Ty5kGHLQaj
— City of Gaithersburg (@GburgMD) May 23, 2016
Sculptor Jay Carpenter and Stacey Aguiar with @EquityRes pose with former @GburgMD Mayor Ed Bohrer pic.twitter.com/0vbJNOs6qp
— City of Gaithersburg (@GburgMD) May 23, 2016
Kicking off the 20th Anniversary of @CHARACTERCOUNTS in GburgMD w/ dedication of former Mayor Ed Bohrer sculpture. pic.twitter.com/Me7v2AuxVY
— City of Gaithersburg (@GburgMD) May 23, 2016
Students from Washington Grove Elementary School Chorus welcome guests to Ed Bohrer dedication ceremony. pic.twitter.com/hEwQrJfJFC
— City of Gaithersburg (@GburgMD) May 23, 2016
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