The Waycross City Commission’s planning and information session last week in City Hall was overflowing with spectators with the ongoing topic of the Confederate soldier statue and the cannon in Phoenix Park expected to be addressed by citizens and city officials.
More than three dozen people filled the available seats in Commission Chambers Monday, March 23, and another 1520 occupied seats and stood where they could view the live stream of the meeting on a TV above the mantle in the foyer.
Capacity of Commission Chambers is 55 according to a document posted near the entrance to the room.
The maximum four people spoke during the “guest” portion of the agenda — three related to the statue.
The downtown location of the two memorials has been a topic of city interest for more than five years, but most recently as the result of commission action. The body approved a resolution March 2 by a vote of 3-1 to make another attempt to cause removal of the memorials by sending letters to the owners.
The “guest” period allows for city residents to speak on any topic related to city business for three minutes. Those who speak must sign up with City Clerk Jackie Powell in advance of the meeting, and have three uninterrupted minutes for their address.
Father David Blaine Jenkins, the Rev. Fer-Rell Malone and Larry Lockey were the three to address the memorials. Jenkins spoke in favor of leaving the two items in Phoenix Park while Malone and Lockey have spoken before the commission advocating its removal since the issue first surfaced in August, 2020.
Elizabeth Pond was the other person to speak. Her topic was the need for changes in the city’s ordinance governing the tethering of animals.
A post on social media days in advance of the meeting urged citizen attendance. The color illustration include a depiction of City Hall, as well as the statue of the Confederate soldier and three other memorials elsewhere in the city recognizing veterans.
“Your Presence Matters,” the post said: Below that followed ,“Let’s show up with a positive and respectful attitude.”
“We’re not here for negativity — just to be heard.”
“Together, we can show our community cares.”
The final line was all capitalized.
City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford touched on the issue during his report later in the meeting. That portion of the report was founded in historical context for the Civil War and the issue of slavery.
Rayford’s presentation included a revamped Phoenix Park without the memorials that was circulated on social media a few days after the commission’s vote last month.
Whether the letters resulting from the resolution have been sent and to whom remains hasn’t been released. City Attorney Cheslyn Green cited attorney-client privilege for not making the information public.
