Talbot County Council discusses Talbot Boys statue’s fate
EASTON, Md. – For some in Talbot County, the Talbot Boys statue located in front of the Talbot County Courthouse represents racism. For others, it represents history and heritage. Tuesday night, the fate of the statue was discussed by council members. “The statue has quite honestly become to me a source of distraction. We do have a number of things that this body and council has to do,” said council president Corey Pack.
County council members are trying to figure out what exactly to do with the statue, whether it be removing it all together or replacing it with another statue. “After a public hearing – who knows? Maybe a motion will be made to remove the base all in itself and open the space up for maybe a grander type of monument to be done,” said Pack.
Different options were discussed during the resolution, including replacing the confederate monument with a statue honoring both union and confederate soldiers from Talbot County. “While some are calling for the immediate removal the statue, there is another group of people who are afraid – afraid to speak out for fear of being labeled or worse yet targeted. These are not the tactics of a free society,” said council member Laura Price.
Pack says that regardless of what is done with the statue – something needs to change. He says he’s heard from a number of concerned citizens asking for the statue to be removed. “If that’s the case, I need to listen and also hear what those persons are saying – and I have,” said Pack.
Price says that any decisions about the statue should be determined by local history – and not influenced by the current national Black Lives Matter movement. The council member says it’s important to listen to everyone, and hopes to see a poll in the county on public opinion about the statue. “No decision made through fear and intimidation is for civic good. Such decisions are morally unjust and dangerous to the fabric of our community,” said Price.
Tuesday’s discussion was just introduce some of those ideas. The county council says that they will continue to talk about the statue upcoming meetings. Council members say they welcome the public to offer comments and opinions on what to do with the statue. That way they can keep everyone’s thoughts and feelings in mind.
The council also discussed adding a diversity statement to county employee handbooks and expanding diversity training. They say that’s another issue that will continue to be discussed moving forward.
