News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville City Council Member Mark Miller said he welcomes family members of those buried at the Cookeville City Cemetery to add their voices to the issue of Confederate symbols.
Miller said Cookeville needs a large group of voices to be heard on the issue.
“We need to have a diverse group of people meet and discuss this,” Miller said. “And, yes, it will include owners of that plot, plus people from all races and creeds from throughout the city can meet up and voice their concerns about the monument.”
Miller asked city staff to draft two resolutions concerning symbols at the city-owned facility and Confederate symbols on any city-owned land. Miller said he did not know of any such symbols, but said helmets, lockers and city equipment should be examined.
“I just want to make sure there are no Confederate flags on any city property,” Miller said. “That includes helmets, lockers, any type of city equipment, or any office anywhere in the city. We need to refrain from that. We are a more diverse and inclusive city.”
Miller shared the drafts with state and national press before the council had the chance to discuss the issue July 2. He defended taking the local discussion beyond the bounds of Putnam County.
“The citizens have talked about the monument in an open forum,” Miller said. “So, I drafted a resolution and wanted to disseminate the resolution to the citizens of Cookeville. Some people use social media. Some people use television as media. Some people use radio or newspaper as media. I chose to go a different route than the normal social media for my resolution.”
City council members will discuss the two resolutions at their Monday work session.
