The Williamson County Budget Committee voted, 3-2, to approve the formation of a nine-member task force to study the Williamson County seal, which displays an image of the Civil War Confederate flag.
The task force would include African American leaders, business leaders, various county organizations, the county historian and representatives from two families who have lived in the county for three generations. At least one of the families would be African American.
The Williamson County seal currently hangs as a centerpiece on the wall of the auditorium in the Williamson County Administrative Complex, where county government meetings are held. In the top-left quadrant, a Confederate flag is draped over a Civil War cannon.
Controversy about the Confederate flag on the seal arose as racial tensions across the nation reached their height in May following the death of George Floyd, a Black man, when a white Minneapolis police officer held his knee to Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes.
Since then, Confederate symbols across the nation have been under harsh scrutiny, while racism in America is being explored in all facets of society.
Numerous county residents have questioned why the county seal was adopted in 1968, during the Civil Rights-era, following the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the passing of the fair-housing Civil Rights Act of 1968.
Commissioner proposes task-force
Commissioner David Landrum, 10th District, proposed the resolution to the budget committee at its meeting on Monday.
"I am really passionate about the seal," Landrum said. "I really support this amendment and brought this forward to discuss it."
Although Landrum believes it's important for the county to keep the integrity of the seal, he also said it's essential that the task force address the presence of the Confederate flag.
"That one quadrant needs to be examined," he said. "It's important to the community that we do this," he said.
However, budget committee chairman Paul Webb, District 6, said he opposes Williamson County having a seal altogether.
"I checked with the county attorney, and we are not required by county or state statutes to have a seal. My recommendation is to do away with the seal."
"I am opposed to the seal entirely. I want to see us eliminate this bone of contention."
County Mayor Rogers Anderson voted in favor of the resolution, along with commissioners Chas Morton, District 9, and Webb.
Commissioners Judy Herbert, District 2, and Barb Sturgeon, District 8, voted against.
A proposed amendment to the original resolution suggested studying the only quadrant of the seal containing the Confederate flag, instead of the entire seal, but it failed 3 (against) to 2 (in favor).
"This is an attempt to help find a way that you all (commissioners) could come to a decision," Anderson said.
Anderson, who is a voting member of the budget committee, said he believes forming a committee made up of different community representatives to discuss the seal is appropriate.
"The (chosen committee) can gather the information rather than it being played out on the county commission floor, which is often times very emotional," Anderson said.
"If you all pass the resolution, then we can find people to serve as a representative."
Anderson suggested that Rick Warwick, Williamson County Heritage Foundation historian, serve as a member of the committee.
Who will serve on the committee?
The county would appoint community members to serve on the committee, and Williamson Inc., the county's chamber of commerce, would schedule and run the committee meetings with a facilitator, Anderson explained.
According to the resolution, the nine-member committee would consist of the following:
- A representative from Williamson Inc. will chair the committee
- Representatives of two families who have lived in Williamson County for at least three generations (at least one should be an African American family)
- One representative from the Heritage Foundation
- One representative from the African American Heritage Society
- One African American business owner, manager or education professional
- One African American religious or community leader
- One member of the Williamson County Visitor's Bureau
- The county historian
The committee will devise a process to collect input from stakeholders and explore the financial, social, public interest, tourism and business impacts of altering or not altering the seal.
What are the legalities?
However, the ultimate vote on the seal resides in the hands of the Tennessee Historic Commission.
"Any memorial including artwork that commemorates a historic conflict like the Civil War cannot be altered unless its by the Tennessee Historical Commission," County attorney Jeff Moseley said.
"Neither the mayor nor commission has the power to alter the seal."
However, the county commission does have the authority to vote on a resolution requesting that the state commission change the seal.
Such a resolution would require a two-thirds vote to pass.
The budget committee set the path in motion Monday to possibly change the seal.
About the county seal
The seal, designed by county historian Virginia Bowman, a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy, and journalist James H. Armistead, a publisher of The Review Appeal newspaper, was accepted by Judge Fulton Greer at the July 15, 1968 Quarterly Court Term, according to county records.
The county website describes the seal:
"The upper left section depicts a flag and cannon, which symbolizes the rich history in the county. The upper right quadrant shows a school house illustrating the importance of education. The lower left portrays a bible in front of a church window, which represents religion. The lower right segment shows farm animals denoting agriculture."
The full commission will vote on the resolution to form a task force to study the seal at its July 13 meeting at 7 p.m.
More: Some Williamson commissioners would support forming committee to study changing seal
More: Franklin parent proposes plan to remove Confederate flag from Williamson County seal
Kerri Bartlett covers issues affecting children, families, education and government in Williamson County. She can be contacted at kbartlett@gannett.com, 615-308-8324 or @keb1414 on Twitter.
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