The Move the Monument Coalition is seeking donations to fund moving the Confederate monument from the Talbot County courthouse lawn.
The coalition, in coordination with county officials, estimates the total cost to be $82,000. So far, the coalition has raised about one-third of that.
On Tuesday, the Talbot County Council voted unanimously to award a contract to Stratified Inc., a Washington, D.C., based firm, to remove the Confederate monument to Cross Keys Battlefield in Rockingham County, Va.
The council also passed an amendment that would allow submission of alternative sites until Dec. 6. These would have to meet the same qualifications as Cross Keys—a high bar since this is a site where monuments are guaranteed appropriate, respectful care in perpetuity. The council would vote on these sites Dec. 14.
The amendment will not delay removal of the statue, expected to take place in January. Stratified is charging $67,000 to move the monument; the battlefield requires an estimated $15,000 to prepare the ground and set it up.
Move the Monument Coalition has pledged that taxpayers will not pay to move this monument.
Move the Monument has an account through Mid-Shore Community Foundation. For those interested in making a donation, type Move the Monument. https://www.mscf.org/donate-online
Those who wish to write a check should make it out to Mid-Shore Community Foundation and write Move the Monument Fund in the subject line. Mid-Shore is located at 102 East Dover Street, Easton, MD 21601.
Move the Monument Coalition
Talbot County
Gretchen Celestino says
Why were these funds not raised before the vote to move the monument? Very poor planning. I feel like the Council was bullied by the Move the Monument coalition in the first place and now the public is being asked to pay for it through contributions? I don’t think so!
B. Tiernan says
Some points to make in response:
1. Money was being raised and pledged throughout the process — more than a year ago.
2. But Cost was unknown until bids were received
3. And opponents repeatedly claimed they had sites locally, which could have changed the bid
4. Contributions are voluntary and nobody is being bullied
5. Nobody is changing history, just putting it in the rearview mirror
Alan Boisvert says
82 grand, are you kidding me? What do they want to do rent a gold plated limo for the ride to Virginia? I remember someone posting here who said they would volunteer to pay the entire cost of moving this relic. Where are they now? Short of that, it would be much less expensive to use the “Boys” as a ship anchor.
Jill Poe says
Everyone having a hand in this is cursed. You can print this or not. History cannot be changed, no matter who wishes to rewrite it; how or why. This act will systemically revisit itself on generations to come over and over again. No matter what happens now.