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It only takes one person misclicking a rejection reason for it to show up in the list. I would be more concerned about the “Other Rejection Criteria”. Memorial benches must be for someone significant as explained here:
I see in your supporting section that you call this person a “hero.” If you want to appeal this and give evidence to Niantic that this person is significant to the community, you do that through your contributions page. You get two appeals, each with a 20 day timer before you can use it again.
You could also try resubmitting this bench instead of appealing it. If you do, be sure to put a lot of information in the description about how Walter Tara was a local hero.
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A Memorial Bench acknowledges people, organisations, events and specific social issues that have made a significant social and/or cultural contribution towards the development of your community. Generally, speaking such a bench can only be installed once permission has first been granted by your local government council.
Is the memorial bench dedicated to a notable figure? I would argue the point that on the basis of the local government approval being required, that only individuals of significance to the local community are recognised with a memorial bench.
Please refer to the following link https://www.stirling.wa.gov.au/your-city/documents-and-publications/your-city/about-council/governance-and-transparency/policies/commemorative-memorials-and-plaques-policy.
When you lodge your appeal, I would suggest that you provide a similar link to your local government policy to support your argument.
Good luck
This may be true for your area, but very often, it is not true. In many places, it’s a way for municipalities to raise money. So they simply sell space on a bench to whomever wants to put a commemorative plaque on it. Could be for a beloved family member, a pet, an event, etc. but it’s usually a fundraising mechanism in many places.
Sorry, I forgot to add. I totally agree if that is not the case if it truly is only for exceptional people in your community that evidence is great. It’s very helpful.
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Anyone can purchase them. Here is our local link:
https://www.carync.gov/recreation-enjoyment/parks-greenways-environment/legacy-giving-program
This is standard in the US for these kind of benches. Thank you for the insight into the situation in other parts of the world, though.
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Besides, this bench is in Chester, NY, not Stirling, WA, the area you appear to be in. Chester, NY may only require that the bench be paid for and little else; most city councils have more pressing issues to attend to anyways. This is also not something that Niantic looks at unless asked to by the local government, which is rare.
Many cities don’t have any rules for memorial benches, especially those installed by a private business at said business, for example. A city typically has no control over a private business and what it puts on its grounds. The hospital in my hometown recently installed some memorial benches around their grounds, and most likely the only thing they had to do was check to make sure they wouldn’t hit power lines while digging.
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