City Council

Special Session 09/23/17 CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, MAYOR HON. WILLIAM C. WITHERS, JR., VICE -MAYOR, WARD TWO CITY COUNCIL HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE HON. MATTHEW J. KELLY, AT-LARGE HON. BRADFORD C. ELLIS, WARD ONE HON. DR. TIMOTHY P. DUFFY, WARD THREE Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street HON. CHARLIE L. FRYE, JR., WARD FOUR Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 September 23, 2017 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia held a special session on Saturday, September 23, 2017, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at James Monroe High School. Council Present. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Presiding. Vice-Mayor William C. Withers, Jr., Councilors Kerry P. Devine, Timothy P. Duffy, Bradford C. Ellis, Charlie L. Frye, Jr. and Matthew J. Kelly. Also Present. City Manager Timothy J. Baroody, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, Assistant City Manager Doug Fawcett, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Police Chief David Nye, Fire Chief Eddie Allen, Public Information Officer Sarah Kirkpatrick, Transportation Administrator Erik Nelson, Director of Information Technology Suzanne Tills, and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Call to Order. Mayor Greenlaw called to order the meeting stating that on August 22, the Council agreed to allow her and Councilor Frye to work with the City Manager and staff to form a plan of action on the slave auction block. They were to return to Council with a plan by September 26, 2017. This was in response to Councilor Frye’s request, who had placed an item for consideration on the agenda for the removal of the slave auction block. With City Council’s authorization, work immediately began on this topic. The group developed concepts for two options for public consideration and potential City Council action. The two options reflected the basic choice for the future of the slave 19767 Special Session 09/23/17 auction block – 1). to remain in place, or 2.) to be removed. Neither option reflected a “do nothing” approach. The plan of action also set out two avenues for community input, a special City Council session for the purpose of receiving community comment, and a special- purpose website comment page for online submissions. Mayor Greenlaw explained that the City Council decision-making process, specific to the future of the slave auction block, took place within the larger context of a community dialogue about race, history, and memory. She said the community dialogue had begun, and it would continue, with leadership from the local religious community, business community, historians, academic institutions, and the local black community and institutions. The City Council members would support this larger conversation and participate in it. Mayor Greenlaw stated that the work over the past three weeks of her, Councilor Frye, the City Manager and staff was guided by two foundational touchstones. The first touchstone was the recently adopted Fredericksburg City Council’s 2036 Vision Statement. The second touchstone was the City’s history of successfully and peacefully working through difficult issues, including issues related to race. Mayor said the City had an exceptional record and reputation in working through the most challenging chapters in our American history, especially in the later parts of the 20th Century. Most often we have proven to be a model for citizen engagement, civil discourse, and a place where the competition of ideas is embraced - and becomes the precursor to action. Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Greenlaw opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Presentations (D17-367.1). Mayor Greenlaw introduced Nathan Speight who offered a brief history of the slave auction block. See D17-367.1 for more information. 19768 Special Session 09/23/17 Mayor Greenlaw presented the options for consideration by the public and City Council. The options were as follows: Option A: Keep the slave auction block in its current location, but use the existing right of way to build a more prominent public space that buffers the encounter and places the artifact in context. This option envisions interpretive panels, protective measures, and a better design for pedestrian flow. Option B: Replace the auction block with a historic marker and directions to its new location, likely in the Fredericksburg Area Museum. FAM is preparing a permanent exhibit that tells the story of the lives of the working people of Fredericksburg. Rules of Order. Mayor Greenlaw reviewed the rules of order. Introduction of Facilitator. Mayor Greenlaw introduced Dr. David Sam, former President of Germanna Community College. Comments from the Public. Peter Fisher, 1311 Prince Edward Street, spoke in support of Option A with reservations. He did not like the idea of moving the salve auction block to the Fredericksburg Area Museum. He said there should have been the option to do nothing. He would like to see explanatory panels and he would like there to be comments solicited for the panels. He said he hoped the protective measures would not obscure the block. Rev. Earnest Woodson, 6219 Salisbury Drive, Spotsylvania 22553, stated he was a pastor in the area and his mother lives in Fredericksburg. Rev. Woodson said he would like to see the slave auction block removed. (Option B) Michael Carter, Jr., 15063 Rural Acres Drive, Woodford, VA 22580, spoke in support of Option A. He said as much as the history hurts it is needed to restore dignity. He 19769 Special Session 09/23/17 said there was a lot of African American history and to remove the block would remove the roots. He said if the slave auction block was put in the Museum people would not see it. Thomas Morgan, 7322 Wytheville Circle, Fredericksburg, VA 22407, a student at Germanna Community College, spoke in support of Option B. He said he had learned that slavery was abolished but never learned the impact of it. He would like to see it remain as a lesson for people like himself, but he said it was like a self-inflicting wound and he questioned whether the block should remain as a way to step forward and heal the wound. Mr. Morgan said it should be removed so the community could heal. Robert Lamb, 9634 Sandy Lane, Woodford, VA 22580, spoke in support of leaving the slave auction block in place (Option A). He said it invites serious discussion and reflection and if it were removed it would diminish the artifact. He was not in support of interpretive panels because they would invite subjectiveness. He suggested changing the wording on the plaque. Anne Little, 726 William Street, said she did not feel she should give an opinion because she felt that should be made by the African American community. She said this was the country’s shame and she said if one African American found it reprehensible than it should be removed. Ms. Little said the block and a couple of panels was not enough to tell the story. She said she would like to see the whole story told to include the Underground Railroad. Anne Ahearn, 907 Cornell Street, stated that she was conscious of her white privilege but not conscious enough. She said when she walk by the block it causes her pain and she experience living history. She asked that it remain where it was and if it were remove not to put it in a museum where it could not be remembered. She said the African American voices 19770 Special Session 09/23/17 must be heard and honored. She said there could be a park created to share the history of the African American history. Janine Stier, 4 Browns Lane, stated that the dark history was real and people needed to be taught that. She said she and her husband moved here for the history. She said the impact of the artifact in its current location was supported by all who have spoken. She said it would lessen the impact of the artifact if it were removed. She also said it was our job to say something when someone was displaying disparaging behavior at the auction block. Ira Weston, 1317 King Street, spoke in support of leaving the auction block in place. Mr. Weston said he was a direct decedent of the last slave sold at the block (George Washington Triplin) and he said this was important to his family and it was an artifact. Mr. Weston asked how do you place these historic tragedies in the present and support positive movement into the future. He said slavery should be treated as an example of national tragedy that needs to be dealt with open and honestly. Linda Juggins, 420 Woodford Street, stated that we must accept our past. She said when she sees the slave block she think of her family and those who were sold and those survivors. Ms. Juggins said the block needed to remain in place. She said she take her family and friends there to show them when they visit. Joe Hensley, 801 Mortimer Street, Pastor of St. George’s Episcopal Church. Pastor Hensley thanked the Council for responding so quickly. He invited faith leaders to join in the conversation. He had the slave block was the tip of the iceberg but more stores needed to be told. He was not happy with options A or B and he suggested moving the block to the museum until there was a better option. Anjaulyeke Covert-Bryant, 1001 Century Oak Drive, said she has been all over the world and has seen a lot. She said she moved to the City in 2000 and she walked up on the 19771 Special Session 09/23/17 auction block and it took her to her knees. Ms. Covert-Bryant said she came wanting the block removed but after listening to comments made she changed her mind and realizes this was a reminder of our past that we should not forget. She thanked the Council for opening the discussion. Ronald Smith, 2037 Log Cabin Road, Beaverdam, VA, Ph.D. in education. He said he had an appreciation for both options. He encouraged people to visit the Civil Rights museum in Memphis. Mr. Smith said when items are put in a museum you are able to tell the whole story and the auction block sitting on the corner was not a way to tell the whole story. Ronnette Cooper, 3003 Normandy Avenue, stated she had the privilege of having Civil Rights Leader James Farmer as her professor. She said she was also a pastor in the region. Ms. Cooper stated that when she first saw the block she wanted to remove it herself, then after the events that happened in Charlottesville she thought it should stay and better panels could be placed with it but after some consideration she realized that would not tell the whole story and the auction block needed to be put into context with the complete story. Jauncey Sweet, 307 Fauquier Street, said he moved to Fredericksburg in 1991. He said he loved the history in the City. He said the block speaks to him but he said he had not realized how much pain the block was for some. He said if it were put in the museum people would never see it again and if it was not seen it would be forgotten. Mr. Sweet said the block needed to be cherished and respected and we should never forget what happened. Hashmel Turner, 1909 New Kent Street, served on City Council in 2005 and he said at that time he had asked that the slave block be removed. During that time the National Slavery Museum was supposed to come and he thought that was the perfect place for the block. He said he did not agree with either of the two options being presented but he would 19772 Special Session 09/23/17 settle for Option B as a compromise. He said he did not need this reminder of what was done to blacks on the street. Jane Seaman, 10235 Brittany Commons Boulevard, Spotsylvania, VA, stated that every time she passed the slave auction block she would think of the horrors people went through. She said she think of how strong the blacks had to be and it gives her great respect the African American people. She said blacks should carry more weight in the discussions and if it was hurtful it should be removed. Ms. Seaman suggested maybe there could be a park to tell more of the story. Faith Collins-Childress, 1805 William Street, spoke in support of removing the auction block. She said this was not a matter of stripping away history but putting it in proper context. She said she was standing in support of her friends who feel this should be removed. Christi Newby, 5216 Cedar Ridge Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22407, stated that at first she was against having the slave block removed because it impacted her and helped to reckon with reality, but she thought those who were affected most should have more say. She said she did not realize how the block hurt some of her fellow friends and she apologized for her ignorance. Lee Lewis, 1856 Idlewild Boulevard, stated that the auction block had been a thorn in his side and it does not weigh positive to him. He said he did not need it to remind him of his ancestors. Mr. Lewis was in support of Option B. Mark Kramer, 2 Cobham Court, Stafford, said the auction block should be used to tell the story locally and nationally. He said the U.S. slave issue was more complicated than white people owning slaves and he wanted to know how the story could be told because there were some blacks that owned slaves. 19773 Special Session 09/23/17 James Anderson, 10704 Ann Davis Drive, Fredericksburg 22408, a civil war re- enactor said the stone was chipped away and molded for people to use to get on their horses but it was abused and used to sell slaves. He said the Council must come up with a decision on whether it should be removed. Jimmy McKinney, 1623 Lafayette Boulevard, has been in the City for 7 years after he retired from the military. He said just as his uncle taught and inspired him, this artifact could do the same for people. Robin Nimmo, 11010 Plume Court, Fredericksburg 22407, stated that the auction block was personal to her because she had the privilege of being a tour guide for the City. She talked about how she walk the streets telling stories of history and without the auction block there was no conversation with the people. She said it could go in the museum but they would not be able to walk by it. She said the artifact spoke for itself and told its own story. She said if it were removed it would take the history with it, therefore she was in support of Option A. Kim Harmon, 4 Eagle Court, Fredericksburg 22405, also a tour guide said she agreed with Ms. Nimmo and she supported Option A. Victor Catlett, 316 Wolfe Street, said as he walk by the Jubilation Statue and all the nice bushes around it and he said the Slave auction block cast a shadow on that statue. He said he would support an Option C and that the decision should be made by the African Americans. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time. Mayor Greenlaw declared the session officially adjourned at 10:17 a.m. Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor 19774 Special Session 09/23/17 Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council, CMC 19775 Special Session 09/23/17 [This page intentionally left blank.] 19776