PORT ANGELES – Port Angeles Mayor Sissi Bruch announced at about 2:00 Tuesday afternoon that she has withdrawn from Wednesday’s City Council agenda her proposal to discuss the removal of artwork depicting soldiers holding weapons from the gates at Veteran Park.
A statement sent to us from the Mayor reads as follows:
“After talking to the deputy mayor, we have decided to remove this item from the November 6, 2019 City Council agenda.
It was clear from the responses we have received that we are not going to be able to have a thoughtful conversation about this topic tomorrow night.
The original intent, to have a robust discussion around the use of different symbolism to celebrate our veterans has been lost.
Out of the concern for our community, staff and council, as they have had to deal with a lot of emotion around this issue due to the spread of misleading and incorrect information, we will not be discussing this item.
This has taken an emotional toll, has created unnecessary distractions and there is concern that having this discussion tomorrow will prevent council from attending to the important issues before us on Wednesday.”
The proposal set off a firestorm of controversy in the community and a large turnout was assured at Wednesday’s meeting at City Hall.
Staff photo: Citizens gather for Veterans ceremony.