Honorary co-chairs join the fundraising effort

Ashland Parks Foundation is pleased to announce that long-time Ashland residents Barbara Allen and Jim Batzer will lead the Butler-Perozzi Fountain Restoration fundraising campaign.  The couple “love and cherish the people and the town of Ashland,” noting that Ashland citizens are “community minded and generous, always stepping up for kids, schools, SOU, OSF, YMCA, feeding the hungry and so much more.”

Barbara’s mom camped in Lithia Park with her grandparents 90 years ago. Barbara and Jim  routinely stop at the Butler-Perozzi fountain on their daily walk through the park to enjoy the soothing sounds of splashing water, carrying on a family tradition.

The Fountain Restoration campaign kicked off July 4, exactly 107 years after the three-day July 4th celebration when the fountain was officially “unveiled.” Gwin Butler and Domingo Perozzi purchased the fountain from the Italian Pavilion at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco to install in Lithia Park where an area had been set aside to feature a fountain. The fountain experienced renovation in 1987 but has continued to age and the infrastructure, stairway and terrace are badly in need of repair.

Barbara and Jim stepped up to work on the Butler-Perozzi Fountain Restoration campaign and have this message for their fellow citizens: “We ask for your help. Let’s make this a united effort. Just as we saved Mt. Ashland,  supported the Bernard Ice Rink, and restored Lithia Park following the flood of ’97, we can save the Butler-Perozzi Fountain!”

For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit: ashlandparksfoundation.org/butler-perozzi-fountain.

Bio:

Barbara Allen

Born in eastern Oregon, Barbara’s family were ranchers on her father’s side and Oregon Trail
pioneers on her mom’s side. Barbara moved to Ashland as a teenager and graduated from
Ashland High School. Her long history living and raising her family in Ashland has been of great assistance to her in her successful career in real estate. Barbara founded the first woman-owned real estate office in Ashland and she was the first woman member and President of The Ashland Rotary.

Barbara has served many other noteworthy southern Oregon organizations. She is past President of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, Ashland YMCA and the SOU Foundation. She served on the Ashland School District Facilities and Bond Committees and as a board member for the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy. Barbara continues to contribute to her community through work on projects such as the Butler-Perozzi Fountain Restoration.

Jim Batzer

Jim Batzer was born in Central Point, where his large family raised chickens, rabbits and
vegetables in their spare time. The family started a construction business which continues to this day. His father, Jack, built the Mt. Ashland Ski Lodge plus many sawmills, windmills and
commercial buildings. Jim worked as a carpenter and foreman and was an environmental
consultant.

Jim has lived in Ashland since 1971 and loves being a part of the Rogue Valley community. He
enjoys outdoor activities like rafting, fishing and golf. He loves his family and friends and enjoys cooking and his flower garden.