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Letter to the editor

Largo mayor: Let's get behind King memorial

Criticism that city leaders have been lagging on support for the delayed projectmay have reignited interest and resolve to get it done.

By Lorri Helfand, Times Staff Writer
Published February 10, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT "I've been uncomfortable with this whole thing and the way we've handled it," Mayor Pat Gerard said. Commissioner Rodney Woods said he has faith the memorial will be built someday.

LARGO - For months, most city commissioners have remained mum as Commissioner Rodney Woods struggled on his own to raise funds for a memorial to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

But last week, Mayor Pat Gerard said it's time for city leaders to support the project, which they first endorsed more than four years ago.

"I've been uncomfortable with this whole thing and the way we've handled it," Gerard told fellow commissioners.

Gerard said the city had treated the fundraising effort for the memorial differently from efforts for the cultural center, the library and other projects.

"I think we've sort of tried to distance ourselves, and, frankly, we've left Commissioner Woods out on his own with this thing and taking a lot of heat because he's been trying to raise funds for this by himself," she said. "We need to take this back in, own it and move forward with it."

"I agree with you," said Vice Mayor Andy Guyette, who had previously volunteered to help with the drive. "We should definitely not leave Rodney out there on his own."

In 2003, the city decided to honor King by building a memorial in Largo Central Park. But the plan languished mostly because it was tied to other projects, city leaders said.

The latest roadblock came in September when city commissioners pulled most of the $60,000 budgeted for the memorial. Instead, they earmarked $15,000 as seed money to honor King in the future.

Commissioners withdrew the funding after receiving more than a dozen e-mails from residents opposed to spending public money on the project. Most e-mails arrived after then-commission candidate Curtis Holmes sent out an e-mail to an undisclosed list of people saying the money would be better spent on sidewalks. He encouraged those who felt the same to contact city leaders.

After that, Guyette said he would work with Woods to raise money for the project, but at last week's commission meeting he acknowledged that he and Woods have little experience raising funds.

So far, Woods has about $320, City Manager Mac Craig said.

Guyette suggested that city staff with fundraising experience help with the campaign.

After other commissioners agreed, Craig said he would assign a city employee to help with the effort.

Before he was elected city commissioner, Woods, the city's first African-American commissioner, was a member of a citizens committee that presented the original memorial concept to city leaders. In recent months, some in the community had incorrectly framed the project as Woods' plan even though commissioners agreed on a public/private venture.

Commissioner Mary Gray Black said she had heard from a number of residents that felt Largo Central Park was not a suitable location for the memorial.

She asked commissioners to consider having a bust of Martin Luther King in the gazebo at the library or one inside the library instead.

Gerard said the city had committed to creating a memorial in Largo Central Park.

She recalled the initial opposition to the city's now popular state-of-the-art library.

"You know what? We did the right thing, anyway," Gerard said. "I don't think because we have a few people out there that say, 'I don't like Martin Luther King,' we should back off on (the memorial)."

Gerard said her comments were in response to a St. Petersburg Times editorial that took city leaders to task for abandoning theproject.

In 2003, commissioners appointed a committee to decide how to honor King. At the time, there were accusations of racism in some city departments and a housing study showed evidence of discrimination in Largo.

Later that year, the committee presented a plan for a memorial plaza.

The project received limited attention for years, but was partially revived last year.

Gerard said city leaders still have an obligation to support the memorial even if it will be funded mostly from donations.

"Just because we decided we only want to put $15,000 in it doesn't mean we don't have a responsibility to see it through."

Despite setbacks, Woods said he has faith the memorial will be built someday.

"I believe in the spirit of the city of Largo, and I believe in the spirit of this commission," he said. "And I have every confidence this is going to happen."

[Last modified February 9, 2008, 21:14:08]