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Residents raise objections after names and design appear on Norton veterans memorial; council opts not to force change
Summary
Public commenters and council members addressed a design and engraving error on the Norton Veterans Memorial. Residents objected to names appearing on the front of the memorial; city staff and the steering committee said the vendor made an error and council decided not to pursue corrective action at this time.
Several residents and council members discussed a controversy over the newly installed Norton Veterans Memorial during non-agenda public comment on July 21.
Resident Julie Durie told council she "object[ed] highly" to names being placed on the memorial stone and called the placement "inappropriate" and "shameful." Durie told council she had discussed legal options with an attorney and urged the council to reconsider removing names.
Council member Towsley, a member of the memorial steering committee, apologized for the error and said he regretted that the issue had caused offense. "I am truly sorry," he said, adding that he and family members had military service and that honoring veterans was the committee's intent.
City staff described how the steering committee had intended names to appear on the back of the monument but a vendor error and a change in statue orientation led to names appearing on the front. Administrative staff said the vendor had exceeded contractual requirements in other respects and that the committee and city weighed the cost and the prospect of litigation. Staff told council the engraving vendor had saved the city money on pavers and had otherwise performed beyond contract, and council members agreed to accept the installation rather than pursue corrective action that could require additional city expense or legal action.
Council members said the steering committee had originally sought names as a way to acknowledge supporters and committee members. Several council members urged the city to consider signage options to call attention to the memorial's presence for visitors traveling State Route 76. Council members also discussed the balance between donor recognition and the memorial's purpose.
No formal action was taken at the July 21 meeting; council members said they would discuss next steps with the mayor, staff and the steering committee.
