FRANKLIN, Tenn. — A task force designated to determine the livelihood of the Williamson County seal has reported to county commissioners that they should consider removing the Confederate flag from the design.
The 30-page report detailed three key options in removing the emblem from the Confederacy from the seal.
The seal: Williamson citizens speak for, against Confederate flag on County Seal
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"After rounds of discussions and several edits, we are proud to say we remained unified in our recommendation because we made sure not to divide over our diverse personal attachments and various historical interpretations over the meaning and evolution of the Confederate flag," the group wrote in the report. "The recommendation of the task force to the Williamson County Commission is to request removal of the Confederate flag from the upper left hand corner of the seal."
They recommended:
- alter the quadrant containing the Confederate flag
- redesign the quadrant containing the flag
- retire the county seal
The task force emerged after a three-and-a-half hour debate with multiple amendments introduced from the Williamson County Board of Commissioners, which voted 18-5 to approve the formation of a nine-member task force to study the seal.
Adopted in 1968 during the civil rights movement, the Williamson County seal has drawn mounting criticism from constituents.
Most commissioners said they received an enormous response from the community about the seal in emails, phone calls and petitions — some against the Confederate symbol on the seal and some in favor.
The commission will discuss the report at its upcoming meeting this month.
Who is on the task force
- Matt Largen, Chairman (representing the Williamson Chamber)
- Hewitt Sawyers (representing a multi-generation family member)
- Emily Bowman (representing a multi-generation family member)
- Paula Harris (representing the Heritage Foundation)
- Inetta Gaines (representing the African-American Heritage Society)
- Lisa Campbell (representing an African-American business owner/manager/education)
- Dr. Chris Williamson (representing an African-American religious/community leader)
- Ellie Westman-Chin (representing the W.C. Convention and Visitors’ Bureau)
- Rick Warwick, the County’s Historian.
Kerri Bartlett contributed to this report.
Emily West is a reporter for The Tennessean, covering Franklin and Williamson County. Follow her on Twitter @emwest22 and email her at erwest@tennessean.com.
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Task force: Take the Confederate flag off the Williamson Co. seal - Tennessean
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