Council moves forward with advisory board for McKinney Throckmorton statue

In addition to the Throckmorton statue, the advisory board could engage in discussions and give feedback to council regarding other historical and cultural items in the city, according to meeting documents. The advisory board will present any of its recommendations to council for action.

At the meeting Fuller said he believed people needed to stop “yelling past each other” and that he wanted the whole community to understand the reason behind whatever decision is made, whether the statue stays or is removed.

“The idea of the committee is to have open, public hearings,” he said.

He approved of staff’s proposal for the committee, but wanted to reduce the timeline attached to the presentation. The initial presentation made July 21 has the committee bringing a recommendation back in December.

When asked about the earliest time frame to receive a recommendation, City Manager Paul Grimes said since many people are on vacation through August, it would not be realistic to set a deadline before Oct. 6, and this date should be what the advisory board should aim for. The mayor ultimately agreed.

Council member La’Shadion Shemwell opposed the creation of the advisory board. He said inviting the whole city to address the issue would result in the Black population in the city to be overwhelmed by the city’s white voices and said the city should not wait for an advisory board’s recommendation to take the statue down.

The council voted 6-1 to form the committee, with Shemwell opposing. The council will meet again on Aug. 4.