Lincoln County approves pared-down Veterans Memorial design, despite veterans’ calls to relocate it to courthouse front

Lincoln County commissioners voted 3–2 on April 14 to approve a pared-down Veterans Memorial design for the county’s new Justice Center, drawing sharp public comment from veterans who said they had not been adequately consulted and urged the memorial be placed in front of the courthouse instead.

At a presentation, landscape architect David Lockwood of Stockwell Engineers described the revised concept as a simpler plan that removes landscaping from the center area, leaves donor‑opportunity pavers and benches around the outer edge, and adds six ground‑flushed flag sleeves for branch flags. Lockwood said the updated design “was approximately $235,000.”

The public comment period included several veterans and family members who told the commission the memorial should be easily visible to passing traffic and that veterans’ groups had not been part of the design process. A retired master sergeant who identified himself as Montgomery said the design ‘‘is not a veterans memorial, and it is not in the right place’’ and added that fundraising should be led by veterans. Canton resident and Army veteran Paul Aslisen told commissioners that memorials should be visible ‘‘24/7’’ rather than tucked away.

Commission discussion centered on two tensions: several commissioners and staff emphasized cost-effectiveness and contractor availability if work is done while courthouse contractors are on site, while others pressed for formal collaboration with veterans’ organizations before finalizing placement or moving existing memorial elements. Building superintendent John Rambo raised a practical concern that pavers installed by families at the existing courthouse memorial could be damaged if the memorial were moved.

Commissioner Otten moved to approve “Option B” — the simpler design — not to exceed $235,000; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call: Commissioner Putnam voted No; Commissioner Schmidt Yes; Commissioner Otten Yes; Commissioner Arons No; Commissioner Landy Yes. The chair and other commissioners said the design allows private sponsorships for donor pavers and asked staff to circulate plans to veterans’ groups.

The commission did not adopt a motion to relocate the existing courthouse memorial; several speakers urged the county to consider either moving the courthouse memorial to a visible front location or to support two memorials (one at the courthouse and one at the Justice Center). Commissioners also suggested encouraging the design firm to consider acting as a donor.

Next steps: the board authorized the project at the approved budget and discussed logistics for fundraising and construction timing; no construction contract was awarded at the meeting.