Today and next Thursday (Oct. 29) the Vance Monument Task Force is hosting two Virtual Town Halls open to the public on plans for the downtown monument dedicated to Zebulon Baird Vance (get caught up on the history + context of the discussion here). Town Halls will take place from 4:45-6 p.m.
Meetings will be live-streamed (on YouTube here), and tonight’s will include a discussion of research, progress + public comments so far, as well as an overview on rules + procedures for the public comment period. Seventy minutes is allotted for the public comment period.
Here’s how to share your feedback –
- Call (855) 925-2801 and enter code 9722 to join during the public comment period.
- Send an email or just text “avlvancemonument” to 73224 and you’ll be prompted to enter your comment that way.
- Leave your comment on the Task Force’s webpage.
- If you don’t have access to a computer, call (828) 250-4102 for a list of local spots where computer access has been arranged.
The 12-member committee is still collecting feedback on the future of the monument, including its potential removal, relocation, or repurposing. The Task Force is not considering keeping the monument as it currently is.
The role of the Task Force is to gather citizen input, especially from those most impacted by the monument’s meaning + history, participate in public dialogue + provide their final report and recommendations to the City and County within three months of their first meeting. During the meetings, they’ve also heard from local historians, African American community leaders, and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Need to play catch up? Here’s the timeline so far –
- Municipal officials approved the Task Force’s creation in June.
- Six appointments from both the City + County (12 total, with four alternate appointments) were made in July and Aug.
- Asheville began shrouding the monument on July 8.
- The Task Force first met on Aug. 24, and has met weekly since then.
- On Oct. 1, member Andrea Olson proposed repurposing the monument by adding painted panels to honor groups integral to the history of Asheville. Colors reflect these ethnic groups (Asian/Latin American, Native American, Black + white), in a design that references the Native American Medicine Wheel. This particular design has received criticism since its proposal.
Other ideas include replacing Vance with other words, including “We The People of Asheville,” and adding lights that represent different cultures.