Minutes 07/28/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 28, 2020 whom is responsible? Sen Lucas and Vice Mayor Lucas Burke looked on as protesters tresspassed and began to vandalize the monument and did nothing. They are representatives of all Citizens of Portsmouth and have a duty to see all properties in the City they represent are treated fairly. They did not do this in fact Sen Lucas is on video encouraging the protesters, telling PPD that they could not do anything about it. This a City these peopke represent and their actions are truly discusting. The City manager is responsible for seeing that all laws and ordinances are followed and many laws are on video being broken. Why has nothing been done? Some of these offenses are on video carried out by representatives of Portsmouth. How can this be over looked? Our Commonwealth Attorney pre decided not to prosecute anyone as stated on video by Public Defenders. Will the Council demand a investigation via Special Grand Jury? Will members of City Council that where present at the monument recuse themselves from any voting involving the monument? They surely have demonstrated their bias on this subject and would be a conflict if allowed to voice their opinion. I believe they have already done so. The Council needs to fully look at everything that took place and everyone involved. How can the disregard and destruction of someone's property be allowed to go without justice. This whole situation has been mishandled and deserves resolution. Our City representatives whether elected or appointed cannot be allowed to violate the law. As a lifelong citizen of Portsmouth I demand that justice is served completely in this matter. Our City already has a high enough crime rate and without prosecution criminals will only be emboldened. No one is above the law. Chris Branch 27 Ansell Ave 17. It was originally a mistake to erect the confederate soldiers around the monument at High and Court streets in Portsmouth. I believe the statues should be completely removed…. and something uniting, and peaceful, and hopeful, and uplifting added around the existing base and tower. Perhaps children holding hands circling the base? Or, take it al down and design something new….. Love, peace, dove,….. something denoting unity. Barbara Sherwood One Crawford Pkwy, #1808 18. I am in support of expeditiously removing or relocating the Confederate Monument located at High Street at minimal cost to taxpayers. I do not support any restoration or repair made to the monument at the cost of the City of Portsmouth. I urge Portsmouth City Council to task the Art Commission with providing a plan for a new art installation that represents all residents of Portsmouth. Jennifer Deason 415 Court Street 19. I want to go on record that I strongly encourage you to move quickly to remove the Confederate Monument at Court and High Streets. If we expect to work together as a community, this monument must be removed. It is an embarrassment to me personally, and one for the city as well. Our city has struggled to find a place of respect for each other across racial lines, and this monument keeps our city entrenched in the systemic racism that stymies our progress. We cannot expect to grow our city when a Confederate Monument represents hate and racism. Please move quickly to remove it so that our city can move forward and work to support each other. Doreen Elias Sheler 408 Washington Street 20. As the mother of three children, ages 8, 6 and 3, I have experienced many “teachable moments” in the last several months. On the evening of June 10, my husband and I recognized the significance of the events taking place at the city’s Confederate Monument and walked our children from our home in Olde Towne to witness the protest, knowing it was a day in history we would never forget.