Removal of Confederate monument was a flashpoint for debate at Jacksonville public hearing

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The removal of a Confederate monument has sparked much debate -- not just among the people of Jacksonville, but also among city council members. They are taking steps to crack down on the power of the mayor.

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Mayor Donna Deegan used money from an outside group to remove a confederate monument from Springfield Park last month. And now, many city council members want to block that kind of unilateral move in the future.

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This was a hot topic of debate at tonight’s public hearing. Some people said they were disappointed with how Mayor Deegan handled the issue and others supported her.

“You should be applauding her instead of condemning her because she did the right thing, a speaker who went by the name Mr. Robinson said.

Another speaker had issues with the mayor’s action.

Related Story: Final Confederate monument in Jacksonville comes down in Springfield Park

“What I have a hard time accepting is a decision made by one person issuing an executive order on this controversial issue,” a man who was not identified said.

A lot of controversy over whether Mayor Deegan had the authority to remove the statue from Springfield Park in December has also involved city council.

On Jan. 9, five council members, including President Ron Salem, introduced Ordinance 2024-46. It’s a bill to limit the use of monetary gifts or donations to the city for capital improvement projects without city council appropriation.

Related Story: Jacksonville’s last major Confederate monument is gone, but some lesser-known ones still remain

The amendment states that no gift may be used to, “alter, demolish, relocate, transform, or in any way modify any city-owned or managed property, object, thing, or anything else of substance without prior council approval and appropriation.”

This is in direct response to the recent removal of a Confederate monument.

Mayor Deegan has funded it by third-party donation not made directly to the city. Under current legislation, this was allowed. This new one would change that.

Related Story: Legislation requiring restoration of Jacksonville’s Confederate Monuments advances in Florida Senate

“Return this monument immediately to its rightful place to continue to honor woman as teammates,” another person who spoke at the hearing said.

During public hearing of this agenda item, the four people who spoke on the ordinance support it and said they disapproved the mayor’s decision.

Related Story: Florida Senate committee advances measure that would prevent Confederate statue removals

However, she still had support from folks during public comment.

Joe Ross of the Northside Coalition agreed with the mayor’s decision saying, “It is not our destiny to be a segregated city, we are one city, one people.”

There was no vote scheduled for this bill, solely a public hearing.

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