Frederick Douglass Memorial Action Coalition SPEAKS
(EASTON - September 25, 2008) - The following is a letter by concerned citizens in Easton regarding the building of a Frederick Douglass memorial:
The Frederick Douglass Memorial Action Coalition, Inc.
“Fred’s Army”
P.O. Box 876
Easton, Maryland 21601
E-mail: fredsamy@yahoo.com
Phone: 410.820.0105 – Ext. 2
September 24, 2008
Attn: Robert Horvath, Director
Mary Frances Packard, President – Board of Directors
Re: Letter dated September 2, 2008 from Talbot County Council President
Hon. Philip C. Foster
Dear President Packard and Director Horvath:
Reluctantly, I have enclosed a copy of Fred’s Army’s reply to Councilman Foster’s letter as referenced. We do so because you were copied on his letter.
Additionally, we want to state that our goal is to utilize the Talbot County Courthouse grounds to honor the legacy of Frederick Douglass. We won the right to do just that, in 2004. We love the Talbot County Library and appreciate its service to our community. (Personally, I use the library often.) However, it is not the intention of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Action Coalition to place story boards relating to the life and legacy of Douglass on your grounds. Councilman Foster was without authority to speak on behalf of our Organization or to intimate any such desire. He and at least one other Councilman have voiced displeasure at the suggestion of the story boards, even if tastefully placed, on the Courthouse grounds. While that still remains our desire, we have opted to place that issue on our separate agenda and to move along with placing just the statue, that is the figure of Douglass atop a pedestal, at the site. Still, the Council refuses to act and allow us access to the grounds. It was our plan to have the statue up by December 31, 2008.
Continued delays by the Council may jeopardize our grants and we certainly do not want that. It is unreasonable for Councilman Foster to state or anyone to believe that Fred’s Army has not given the Council all that it has requested. To what benefit? One Councilman has asked us to reconsider and move the site of the statue. Another Councilman has sought out our active members and formerly active members, suggesting that moving the site would allow a larger display of Douglass’ achievements. This was taken into consideration when we asked for the Courthouse grounds, in 2004. So, we conclude that the delaying tactics are part of a larger agenda.
The unvarnished truth remains unreported in the local paper. Suffice it to say, Fred’s Army has complied with each and every demand and request of the Talbot County Council relative to providing dimensions of the proposed statue, preferred site, relations to other statues and monument on the grounds, proposed inscriptions, site for the archeological survey, everything. Yet, we have been unable to gain access to the grounds to erect the statue. You are very familiar with the County Council’s ability to stall a decision until it dies. We do not aim for this endeavor to die. We have been stymied in our fundraising because controversy fuels doubt. Money usually does not flow to troubled waters, unless one is a Wall Streeter.
We hope to reinforce to the Council our readiness to move on the plan submitted and to gain the permission needed to dig at the site of the Talbot County Courthouse grounds. Once we get the green light, we know that we can secure the projected balance of funds needed to timely complete this project.
If we can say more, please do not hesitate to contact us and come to any of our meetings, open to the community.
Best wishes.
Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Founder/President
cc:
Fred’s Army Board of Directors
Hon. Philip C. Foster
Talbot County Councilmen
Nettie Washington Douglass, Honorary Chair – Fred’s Army
Ed Dwight, Sculptor
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