The World War 1 Monument that resides in Historic Anderson Park will be getting moved to the new Grimes County Justice Center.
But that was not met without come controversy at the most recent Commissioner’s Court meeting, as the court and Andrew Duncan from the Grimes County Historic Commission discussed the move.
Concerns arose mainly from Commissioners Phillip Cox and Barbara Walker on the movement, which they say had not been formally approved by the court.
“This is something that should have come before the court. And that is where we are, that the court, as a whole, charged with fiduciary duty and oversight of county property, should have been considered. It should have been approved by the court, and we did not really have the knowledge of that being part of it,” said Walker
Total cost to move the monument to the new Justice Center would be around $1,500, and the slab was poured in anticipation of the monument being moved there.
As for why it is being moved there, the GCHC has plans in place for the park, and the monument does not fit the plans. Also mentioned was the ability to make the monument more visible at the courthouse to the public.
Commissioner Cox and David Dobyanski had an open, frank discussion about the issue.
“I cannot believe we are sitting here, arguing about moving a monument to our veterans to the county courthouse, I mean this is ridiculous,” said Dobyanski.
“It does not have anything to do with the veterans, commissioner. You made the decision, outside of this court, to go ahead, and tell them they could move it. You did not come to the court, and advise us you even had that discussion,” responded Cox.
“I am aware of the conversations…I did not bring it before the court, but we can take these on a case by case basis,” Dobyanski said. “Are you saying you do not want to move the monument over here, for the veterans, of World War 1?”
“No, absolutely not, and I have already stated that. It is less about the monument, and more about the process,” said Cox.
In the end, however, the Commissioner’s voted by a 3-1 margin to move the monument to the Grimes County Justice Center, with County Judge Joe Fauth absent, and Commissioner Barbara Walker voting against.