City Of Lakeland Release
LAKELAND, FL (November 3, 2017) – The Lakeland City Commission made a decision to cancel the public forum to discuss the Confederate Monument located at Munn Park. The public forum was scheduled on November 14th at the RP Funding Center. On Friday, November 3rd, the Lakeland City Commission voted 5-2 in favor of cancelling the public forum due to the concern that outside special interest groups could cause distention based on what is happening around the country. The City Commission was asked to reschedule the meeting by the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority due to many conflicts taking place the same evening including a Lakeland Magic game at the RP Funding Center, the Holiday Walk-About taking place in downtown Lakeland and the joint event with the Florida Dance Theater and the Imperial Symphony Orchestra also taking place at the RP Funding Center.
With the discussion about rescheduling the public forum, the City Commission came to the decision to cancel the event. Commissioner Edie Yates made a motion to cancel the the event based on feedback the City Commission has already received by local citizens regarding the Monument located in Munn Park. Yates said, “We have heard from our constituents. We all have a very thick stack of correspondence from our citizens on their opinion of what we should do with the monument. We need to make a decision and quit kicking the can down the road.”
The motion passed 5-2 with Commissioner Selvage and Commissioner Malless voting in favor of having a public meeting. A great deal of discussion took place before the vote with input by all Commissioners regarding concerns about interference from special interest groups that have mobilized around the country during similar events. Commission Walker said, “I’m concerned about these groups initiating safety and civility concerns, creating havoc and the possibility of violence.” He added, “When you get heated groups all together in confined space, you are inviting trouble.”
Commissioner Selvage said, “We own this thing and we do need to make a decision.” Commissioner Walker and Commissioner Troller both expressed concerns about special interest groups outweighing local voices during the public forum. Mayor Wiggs said, “We all see the level of involvement by the national groups representing both sides of the issue. We don’t need to invite chaos and create a possible media circus in our community.”
A resolution will be brought before the City Commission during the Monday, December 4th City Commission Meeting to decide the fate of the Confederate Monument. The Commission will also allow public comment during the December 4th meeting.
