Letter to the Editor: Citizens should decide fate of Confederate monument

The city of Richmond has been rocked by protests about Confederate monuments over the past several weeks. Some have been pulled down by protestors, while others have been removed by the city. But the mayhem and violence that ensued has been Costly economically and personally. Last year, many members of the Richmond city council voted to retain the monuments. Now, they almost unanimously support their removal.

Charles City has its own Confederate monument. It was erected in 1901 and funded by the Daughters of the Confederacy. This monument was the subject of discussion at Charles City’s Board of Supervisors’ June meeting. The supervisors were erroneously told by legal counsel that there was insufficient time to place a referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot. The board, therefore, decided to create a committee of “native” Charles City residents to advise them on the fate of the monument.

Since that meeting, the issue of the advisory referendum would be placed on the agenda at the board’s July meeting. I urge all Charles City County residents to contact their representative on the board of supervisors and urge them to let the people of the county decide this issue. There are strong feelings on both sides of the discussion. The supervisors will make the ultimate decision. They need to hear from all the people, not just a select committee.

Whatever the course of the future, let us do this legally, peacefully, respectfully, and above all, democratically. Let the voters decide, not just a select few.

Kevin Sullivan
Charles City