Sylva Board Votes To Remove Statue

Commissioners were originally scheduled to vote on the issue Thursday, July 24th, during a Zoom call but had to reschedule the meeting after some attendees to the virtual meeting began interrupting the proceedings with a series of racial slurs. In the reconvened meeting, commissioners met via Zoom with those signed up to give public comment admitted one at a time. The meeting was then streamed via Facebook.

Commissioner Nestler voted to pass the resolution along with Commissioners Greg McPherson and Ben Guiney. Voting against its passage were Commissioners Mary Gelbaugh and Barbara Hamilton. Mayor Lynda Sossamon did not vote, as in Sylva the mayor votes only in case of a tie.

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will likely take up the issue now. The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4.