(KAIR)--Controversy as to where to place a memorial remembering the six men who were killed in the Bartlett Grain Elevator Explosion Oct. 29, 2011.

The concept for the memorial was first brought to the Atchison City Commission during the Feb. 6 meeting by Denton resident, Eddie Burke—her 24-year-old son, John was killed in the explosion.

Burke told commissioners she and those involved planning the memorial would like to see it placed down on the Riverfront, since that is such a highly trafficked area.

At that meeting, commissioners were in favor of the memorial but told Burke to meet with the Atchison Riverfront Advisory Board for how to move forward.

'Riverfront Memorials For River History Only'

“When the riverfront was designed, it was decided to limit the riverfront signage to relevant historical events, on or associated with the river as they affected the development of our city,” said Robert Adrian with the Riverfront Advisory Board.

He said they had a committee meeting to discuss the proposed memorial. Everyone agreed the memorial was worthy and important to be placed in a prominent location, the riverfront was not appropriate since it was intended to only hold memorials directly related to the river as part of Atchison's founding.

Currently, no written policy exists designating what type of memorials can be placed on the Riverfront. Two memorials are down there now that are not related to Atchison's river history or Lewis and Clark, but commissioners said those are in the process of being moved.

Appeal To Commissioners

Ultimately, commissioners have the final say in is placed on the Riverfront.

“Those people that walk the riverfront, to let them know how much we appreciated what they did,” Burke said. “I don't know about you, every time Oct. 29 comes around every year, I remember. I'm sure there are some people on the fire department, and police and sheriff that also relive it. There's people here in this town that remember.”

She said since there was no policy in place the first time she asked, commissioners promised it could go on the riverfront. Now, she feels they're going back on their word.

Burke was accompanied by others who lost family members in the explosion who also spoke.

In Need Of Peace

“You guys need to figure out something we can do to commemorate these guys,” said Patty Field who lost her Curtis. “This happened and it was tragedy to the Burke family, my family and the whole city. This have been five years in the process. And it's the hardest five years I've had. And, I need some peace.”

Final Outcome

All commissioners expressed their desire to see the memorial on the Riverfront, but felt it was important to let the advisory board set a policy going forward before making any decisions.

Ultimately, Vice-Mayor Jack Bower proposed a resolution that would approve the memorial but left the location open-ended—working with the Riverfront Advisory Board to see if they would approve the memorial on the Riverfront or working to help find another high-traffic, prominent location in Atchison for the memorial.

Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the resolution.