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Resolution Spurred By Monument Stalls

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By RAY REYES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 1, 2007

PLANT CITY - A memorial dedicated to a Civil War-era cavalry unit was unveiled at a community festival two weeks ago, but the controversy surrounding it continued during Monday's city commission meeting.

The most recent debate focused on a resolution that would require the East Hillsborough Historical Society to obtain permission from the city before installing permanent monuments or displays outside the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center.

The historical society takes care of the building at 605 N. Collins St. and has its archives there, but the city owns the property.

The commissioners have said the historical society should have asked city permission before agreeing to allow the monument to the Confederate Cow Calvary on the grounds of the community center. The monument, including a bronze shield depicting a rifle-toting man in front of a horse and cattle, was dedicated Nov. 17 during the society-sponsored Pioneer Heritage Day.

The Cow Cavalry protected cattle from Union soldiers and helped supply Confederate troops with beef. The only black city commissioner, Mary Yvette Thomas Mathis, objected to the memorial and told commissioners at a Nov. 13 meeting that "this is a Confederate soldier we're putting on city property."

Monument supporters contend the man depicted on the memorial is a cowboy. Other commissioners say they don't object to the content of the monument, but the historical society should have asked for permission.

After nearly half an hour of discussion Monday, commissioners agreed to delay taking action on the resolution until their next meeting, Dec. 10.

The proposal was listed as the last item on the commission's consent agenda, which is typically used for noncontroversial or routine items that do not need commissioners' discussion. The commissioners generally adopt the consent agenda items with one vote without opening the floor for public comment.
Commissioner Robert Brown pulled the resolution from the consent agenda so he could discuss it with his colleagues.

"I don't know where this came from," Brown said of the resolution. "Why would you need this at all?"

Brown said he felt that some terms in the proposal were not clearly defined, such as what is meant by "permanent" monuments or displays.

City Manager David Sollenberger told Brown that city staff was "under the impression that the commission wanted something on the record" regarding displays on the grounds of the former high school. Officials are planning to talk to historical society members about transferring ownership of the building to the nonprofit group, Sollenberger said.

The city entered a verbal agreement with the historical society on June 27, 1977, that authorized the nonprofit group to restore and manage the building, according to a city staff report. No formal lease agreement has existed between the city and the society for 30 years.

The proposed resolution was "simply an interim measure," Sollenberger said. "This measure goes away if ownership is transferred."

Brown did not support the resolution, but Mathis pushed to pass it.

"I am very much for this," Mathis said. "I was very uncomfortable with the permanent monument. That's my belief. This resolution needs to be in effect."

Mayor Rick Lott convinced Mathis to wait until Dec. 10 to vote.

"I'm personally compelled not to rush into it tonight," Lott said. "On Dec. 10, I want to take action."

Shelby Bender, the president of the East Hillsborough Historical Society, said she learned of the resolution only hours before the commission's meeting Monday. Bender said officials talked to her via telephone about the issue but she had not seen the resolution in print.

Bender said she also was concerned that the resolution was placed in the consent agenda and that the public's only chance to comment on the issue would have come at the end of the meeting, when the floor is opened up to members of the public who aren't on the agenda.

On Tuesday, Bender said she was looking forward to discussing the ownership of the building with the city and that she was happy the commissioners did not pass the resolution.

"I'm pleased that the commission tabled it," Bender said. "We can come to the discussion table with open minds."

Even if the resolution is adopted, it won't force removal of the monument and wouldn't apply to displays inside the building.

The Cow Cavalry monument was paid for by the Plant City chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

WHAT DOES THE RESOLUTION SAY?

"The East Hillsborough Historical Society, Inc. shall provide notice to the City Commission at least ninety days prior to the installation of any permanent monument or display on the outside of the 1914 High School Building structure or on the surrounding property of the site. The installation of any said monument or display shall require the prior consent and approval of the City Commission."

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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