Veterans, residents urge Lincoln County to reconsider memorial siting; commissioners respond

Several veterans and residents used the May 26 public comment period to urge Lincoln County commissioners to reconsider the siting and process for a veterans memorial associated with the county Justice Center.

Bill Corderman, a Canton resident, recounted veterans's testimony from an April 14 meeting and said two county deputies entered the hearing during veterans' remarks; he asked why deputies entered and whether veterans were perceived as a threat. Corderman criticized placing a veterans memorial near what he described as a jail facility and urged the commission to reconsider the location.

Another commenter said the April 14 meeting included emotional testimony from veterans and described mixed votes among commissioners on the memorial motion; that account was raised as a claim during public comment rather than as a formal board record at the May 26 meeting.

Scott Montgomery and others praised the meeting's civil tone and urged continued respectful discussion. Commissioners acknowledged veterans' concerns. One commissioner noted the project involved substantial public investment — commenters referenced approximately $235,000 in construction costs and about $30,000 in engineering fees — and said veterans should be engaged in the design and siting process.

The board did not reverse the earlier action at the May 26 meeting but commissioners expressed appreciation for veterans' testimony and said they wanted to avoid repeating any past mistakes in how veterans were included in decisions. Public commenters also included several candidates who introduced themselves to the commission during the comment period.

The meeting later moved to executive session as the public-comment period closed.