The entrance lobby in the Williamson County courthouse features the Williamson County seal on the floor, which includes a Confederate flag.(Photo: Shelley Mays/The Tennessean )
After a three-and-a-half hour debate with multiple amendments introduced, the Williamson County Board of Commissioners voted 18-5 to approve the formation of a nine-member task force to study the Williamson County seal, which has an image of the Confederate flag.
Commissioners voting against the move included Judy Herbert, 3rd District;Bert Chalfant, 7th District; GreggLawrence, 4th District; ErinNations, 6th District;and Barbara Sturgeon, 8th District.
Most commissioners said they received an enormous response from the community about the seal in emails, phone calls andpetitions some against the Confederate flag symbol on the seal and some in favor.
Adopted in 1968 in the era of the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther KingJr., the Williamson County seal has drawnmountingcriticism from constituents.
Franklin resident Dustin Koctar, who launched a petition to change the seal,first criticized the presence of a Confederate flag on it at a community vigil in memory of George Floyd in Franklin last month.
Previously: Williamson budget committee approves task force to explore removal of Confederate flag on seal
More: Franklin parent proposes plan to remove Confederate flag from Williamson County seal
More: Some Williamson commissioners would support forming committee to study changing seal
Theresolution, writtenby Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson's office, calls for the formation of a nine-member task force comprised of Blackcommunityand business leaders as well as representatives from various community organizations and the county historian.
The task forceis chargedwith discussingthe seal and submitting a recommendation to the county commission in September about whether to change it.
Williamson Inc., the county's chamber of commerce and county economic department, will chair the task force, including organizing meetings and collecting data. A representative from Williamson Inc. will also serve on the task force.
According to the resolution, the nine-member committee would consist of the following:
'Do not be silent': Meet Nashville teens who launched a movement for social change
Several commissioners proposed amendments, including how to direct the task force, whileothers wanted to bypass the task force altogether.
Commissioner Sean Aiello, 11th District,proposed an amendment that would appoint the county historianRick Warwick as chairman of the task force, instead of Williamson Inc. His proposalfailed.
Commissioner David Landrum, 10th District,proposed anamendment for the task forcetoonly study the upper left hand quadrant of the seal containing the Confederate flag, and leave the rest of the seal untouched. His amendment gained the most traction, but still failed11-12.
At one point, Commissioner Gregg Lawrence, 4th District, suggested deferring the discussion.
"Let's wait until things calm down in America so maybe we can be more reasonable," he said, also stating that the seal needs to change."I think it's going to be hard to get a consensus during this time on the seal."
Commissioner Dwight Bubba Jones, 1st District, later made an amendment to eliminate the entire county seal altogether.
"Let's just do away with the seal and remove the controversy," he said.
However, he later withdrew his amendment when Commissioner Chad Story, 4th District, proposed a separate amendmentcalling for theremovalthe Confederate flag on the seal instead of forming atask force gained momentum.
Story argued that he "feared" that the task force might alter other parts of the seal and thus compromise its full historical integrity.
"Let's remove the Confederate flag and take our resolution directly to the Tennessee Historical Commission," Story said.
Some commissioners who previously supported the task forcebegan to shift their perspective as Story presented his argument.
Commissioner Brian Beathard, 11th District, who initially sponsoredthe mayor's task force proposal, shifted his perspective tosupport instead Story's proposal.
"Some constituents have egregiously told me the commission doesn't have the gravitas to make this decision on our own," Beathard said. "Acommittee would have too much to tackle looking at whole seal, if the sensitive part isreally to remove the flag."
Commissioner Keith Hudson, 3rd District, the only Black member of the county commission, initiallysupported thetask force resolution but latervoiced his support ofStory's suggestion to removethe Confederate flag as well, while bypassing the task force.
Hudson also explained his view of the Confederate flag as a symbol.
Hesimply explained that for him and many other people of colorthe Confederate flag is "asymbol of hate."
"It's the same astheswastika for me," he said. "I tell myson to stay away. If it's displayed in a business,they are sending a message they don't want you as a patron."
He said the flag symbolizes different things for different people.
"Is it hate or is it heritage?You don't know so, son, stay away," Hudson said."I remember coming out of Woolworth's, and the Klan marching, and I saw the battle flag and that is mymemory."
Autoplay
Show Thumbnails
Show Captions
Ultimately, the momentum for Story's amendment fizzled when he removed it from consideration.The commission then voted on the initial resolutionpresented by the mayorandfive commission sponsors Hudson, Morton, Webb, Beathard and Commissioner Betsy Hester, 2nd District.
Other commissioners voiced why they supportthe formation of the task force.
"I am proud to support this proposal, this is a much needed change," Chas Morton, 9th District,said.
"Everything should have a look to be modernized,"Paul Webb, 6th District said."Let's have the discussion."
"We need to discuss this to be an authentic county," said Beth Lothers, 5th District, said.
The county commission will review the recommendations from the task force at its regular monthly commission meeting in September.
Kerri Bartlett covers issues affecting children, families, education and government in Williamson County. She can be contacted atkbartlett@gannett.com, 615-308-8324 or @keb1414 on Twitter.
Read or Share this story: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/williamson/franklin/2020/07/13/task-force-study-confederate-flag-williamson-county-seal/5429504002/
Excerpt from:
- The Principality of Sealand - Become a Lord, Lady, Baron or ... - December 8th, 2016 [December 8th, 2016]
- SeaLand Toilets - Motorhome, RV & Marine - PPL Motor Homes - December 23rd, 2016 [December 23rd, 2016]
- Schedules - SeaLand - December 28th, 2016 [December 28th, 2016]
- Sealand man jailed for high speed police chase near Chester - LeaderLive - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- sealand | eBay - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Floatplane fuselage donated for entrance feature - Campbell River Mirror - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- Burglar in 'lunatic' Flintshire police chase jailed - Daily Post North Wales - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Did you get married in this Sealand church? - Daily Post North Wales - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Global Camping Toilet Market 2017 By Manufacturers Zodi, Camco, SeaLand, Thetford Marine - NetDugout - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Sealand Natural Resources, Inc. (OTCMKTS:SLNR) Files An 8-K Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities - Market Exclusive - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Sealand - The Principality of Sealand - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Sealand of the Pacific - Wikipedia - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Gardening club launch at Sealand and Queensferry Dementia Caf - Deeside.com - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Sealand - The Principality of Sealand - thoughtco.com - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Malawi govt over paid farm input suppliers by K61billion - Nyasa Times - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- About Sealand - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- How Are Analysts Interpreting Sealand Natural Resources Inc (SLNR)'s Relative Strength? - Nelson Research - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Inquiry date for Chester flood plain homes plan - ChesterChronicle.co.uk - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- sealand toilet | eBay - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Unusual Activity Spotted in Sealand Natural Resources Inc (SLNR) - BVN - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Sealand Natural Resources Inc (SLNR) Moving -40.00% in Session - BVN - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]
- Pivot Points in Focus: Sealand Natural Resources Inc (SLNR) - Nelson Research - June 21st, 2017 [June 21st, 2017]
- Independence Day 2017 SeaLand & Port Schedule - American Journal of Transportation - June 27th, 2017 [June 27th, 2017]
- Flooding on Chester's Sealand Road after downpour - ChesterChronicle.co.uk - July 14th, 2017 [July 14th, 2017]
- Chester floodplain housing scheme unanimously rejected - ChesterChronicle.co.uk - August 6th, 2017 [August 6th, 2017]
- 150 years of the Shipping Forecast: The magic and poetry of Dogger, Fisher and German Bight - Country Life - August 25th, 2017 [August 25th, 2017]
- Sealand - Wikitravel - August 25th, 2017 [August 25th, 2017]
- About Us - Principality of Sealand - August 25th, 2017 [August 25th, 2017]
- About - Principality of Sealand - February 6th, 2018 [February 6th, 2018]
- Principality of Sealand - Wikipedia - June 5th, 2018 [June 5th, 2018]
- Sealand | MicroWiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia - July 29th, 2018 [July 29th, 2018]
- Sealand The Mystery Solved - Part One - YouTube - August 30th, 2018 [August 30th, 2018]
- Sealand Marine Toilet Parts | West Marine - September 16th, 2018 [September 16th, 2018]
- Search for a route - sealand.com - September 16th, 2018 [September 16th, 2018]
- About Sealand - Become a Lord, Lady, Baron or Baroness - October 16th, 2018 [October 16th, 2018]
- SeaLand is now Dometic | Dometic - Mobile living made easy. - November 24th, 2018 [November 24th, 2018]
- Sealand | Dynamic Ship Simulator III Wiki - dss-iii.wikia.com - December 5th, 2018 [December 5th, 2018]
- Sealand | Fifth World Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia - December 5th, 2018 [December 5th, 2018]
- Vacuflush Parts and Systems for marine and RV toilets. - January 11th, 2019 [January 11th, 2019]
- Sealand | West Marine - January 11th, 2019 [January 11th, 2019]
- Sealand | Hetalia Archives | FANDOM powered by Wikia - January 11th, 2019 [January 11th, 2019]
- About Sealand | The Principality Of Sealand - January 11th, 2019 [January 11th, 2019]
- Sealand Marine - 4 Locations Across Nebraska and South ... - May 14th, 2019 [May 14th, 2019]
- Surfer cleans his playground by turning pollution into functional fashion - East Coast Radio - October 1st, 2019 [October 1st, 2019]
- Hefty bill for Sealand farmer who ignored warnings to clear waste off his land - LeaderLive - October 1st, 2019 [October 1st, 2019]
- IN PICTURES: Terry is first person to complete nine-mile swim from Sealand to Dovercourt - Harwich and Manningtree Standard - October 1st, 2019 [October 1st, 2019]
- Great Escapes: The Pristine Shores and Year-Round Charm of Denmarks North Sealand - Barron's - October 1st, 2019 [October 1st, 2019]
- Terra Firma Imagines a Tiny Country Surviving the Rising Waters - TheaterMania.com - October 14th, 2019 [October 14th, 2019]
- Appeal launched over refusal of plans to store cars and caravans on green barrier land in Sealand - LeaderLive - October 14th, 2019 [October 14th, 2019]
- Queues on Sealand Road in Chester due to water works - Cheshire Live - October 14th, 2019 [October 14th, 2019]
- Coleg Cambria volunteers clean-up streets and rivers of Deeside for community event - Deeside.com - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- Review: In Terra Firma, a Wee Wet Country on the Brink - The New York Times - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- Appeal launched over refusal of plans to store cars and caravans on green barrier land in Sealand - Deeside.com - October 16th, 2019 [October 16th, 2019]
- Global Smart Container Market Set to Reach $5.74 Billion by 2024 - Asia-Pacific Expected to Grow at the Highest CAGR - PRNewswire - December 18th, 2019 [December 18th, 2019]
- Panerai Celebrates the Year of the Rat With Sparsello-Decorated Luminor Sealand - HYPEBEAST - December 18th, 2019 [December 18th, 2019]
- Former football star and Telegraph photographer Gary Talbot dies at 82 - Lancashire Telegraph - December 27th, 2019 [December 27th, 2019]
- SeaWorld Prisoner Kyuquot the Orca Needs Our Help! - The Union Journal - December 27th, 2019 [December 27th, 2019]
- Somaliland in the Guide to the 'almost countries' of The World - MENAFN.COM - December 27th, 2019 [December 27th, 2019]
- All the shops and businesses Chester said goodbye to in 2019 - Cheshire Live - January 2nd, 2020 [January 2nd, 2020]
- Easter eggs are already on sale in Plymouth - Plymouth Live - January 2nd, 2020 [January 2nd, 2020]
- This is what was happening in Chester as the 1990s dawned - Cheshire Live - January 2nd, 2020 [January 2nd, 2020]
- Chinese New Year Gifting 2020: From Gucci to Faberg, Rats & Mice Galore | Jewellery | Watches & Jewellery - Luxury London - January 14th, 2020 [January 14th, 2020]
- Sealand Community Council to decide three new positions by co-option | The Leader - LeaderLive - January 30th, 2020 [January 30th, 2020]
- Roadworks in and around Flintshire over the next few days - Deeside.com - February 24th, 2020 [February 24th, 2020]
- Photographer from Deeside on 'cloud nine' with accolade - LeaderLive - February 24th, 2020 [February 24th, 2020]
- China firms in $10 billion share sale rush as funding rules eased amid virus worries - Reuters - February 24th, 2020 [February 24th, 2020]
- Sealand reduces transit time between Chile and the US for table grapes - FreshPlaza.com - February 24th, 2020 [February 24th, 2020]
- The 72 businesses with a five star food hygiene rating in Flintshire - Daily Post - March 16th, 2020 [March 16th, 2020]
- More than three weeks of overnight closures on Cheshire roads to start - Cheshire Live - March 22nd, 2020 [March 22nd, 2020]
- Flintshire man who went to see son play in band in Chester caught drink-driving on way home - The Chester Standard - March 22nd, 2020 [March 22nd, 2020]
- Heres Why Sealand Capital Galaxy (LON:SCGL) Must Use Its Cash Wisely - Simply Wall St - March 22nd, 2020 [March 22nd, 2020]
- Man charged with alleged offence under new Covid 19 legislation following incident in Deeside on Thursday - Deeside.com - April 9th, 2020 [April 9th, 2020]
- SeaWorld trainer torn limb from limb by killer whale turned 'psychotic' by captivity - Mirror Online - April 26th, 2020 [April 26th, 2020]
- Revamped Aldi Chester store to open its doors next week - The Chester Standard - May 11th, 2020 [May 11th, 2020]
- Weekly Update: Global Coronavirus Impact and Implications on Fresh and Naturally Fermented Birch Juice Market Analysis, Trends, Forecast, 2019-2025 -... - June 1st, 2020 [June 1st, 2020]
- Residents urged to take care after house fire in Sealand - LeaderLive - June 1st, 2020 [June 1st, 2020]
- Someone has used a chainsaw to cut down a tree in Garden City which blocked Welsh Road - Deeside.com - June 9th, 2020 [June 9th, 2020]
- Covid-19 Impact on Global Coriolis Mass Flowmeters Market (2020-2026) | Potential growth, attractive valuation make it is a long-term investment | Top... - June 25th, 2020 [June 25th, 2020]
- Sales in the Birch Water Market Expected to Grow as Demand from End-Use Industries Gathers Pace 2017 2025 - Jewish Life News - July 10th, 2020 [July 10th, 2020]
- Breaking down the top 10 LB recruits in Vanderbilt history - 247Sports - July 12th, 2020 [July 12th, 2020]