Dear Mr. Mayor,
I write to you as a concerned citizen and enthusiastic amateur historian.
Regarding the former, I am concerned that the city not spend any more tax payer dollars on fighting Judge Neri’s fair decision regarding the Columbus Monument. There are so many better ways in which our valuable resources could be used (modernizing our antiquated garbage system, providing better bus transportation, using those same lawyers to bring slum lords who ignore city rules to court – to name a few). This is not a fight worth pursuing.
As a lover of history, I appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of the statue itself. I also have read about the prejudice Italians in Syracuse faced and the story of raising money to erect this symbol of pride in the community. It would be a shame to erase this just because during our present moment in history Columbus is regarded as a villain. If we were to only preserve statues of flawless historical characters there would be not one left standing.
It is a mistake to attempt to take down the Columbus Monument. The judge has ruled and it is time to move on to more worthwhile pursuits.
Thanks for your time,
Susannah Park
