Controversial monument with confederate ties to be 'decommissioned' by Kincardine council
A historical monument that stood outside Kincardine's library for more than 100 years, will not be returning to it's prominent spot on main street.
"We choose to honour history, but also to represent our community in a non-racist, inclusive manner," said Kincardine Mayor Ken Craig.
The monument in question is an ode to Dr. Solomon Secord, who served Kincardine as a beloved physician for more than 50 years - but he also spent time as a surgeon for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
A year's long public debate over Secord's statue, and its connection to a cause promoting slavery, split the community.
In the end, while suggesting they appreciate Dr. Secord's service to Kincardine, council decided the statue not return to main street, instead it will be respectfully dismantled.
Dr. Solomon Secord. (Source: Bruce County Museum/Ross Merritt)
"It is a challenging, polarizing issue in any community. The historical value of Doctor Secord's humanitarian work is invaluable, and we will continue to maintain that with a display at the local museum. But we choose to honour the parts of history that are valuable, and we choose to minimize the parts of history that in this culture, in this day and age, are not appropriate," said Craig.
The decision made at Wednesday's council meeting has already sparked some community reaction.
"I disagree with that. We can't forget history. We can't change history. It's part of who we are, and I disagree with their decision to remove the monument," said David from Kincardine.
"I think it's time for the council to stop being so woke. Obviously, he was a man that deserved to have a statue put up for him, and it should be left there. That's it," said Karen from Kincardine.
Council offered the monument to the local museum, legion, and hospital, who politely declined. Council considered removing the monument's wording around the Confederate Army, but that idea was rebuffed as not effective or feasible. Decommissioning became the best option, said Craig.
Kincardine Mayor, Ken Craig explaining council's decision to decommission Dr. Solomon Secord statue (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
During the public consultation process on the Secord monument, some blatantly racist comments came forward shocking both council and the community. Mayor Craig hopes that this decision puts an end to that animosity.
"Difficult conversations do not have a lot of middle ground. They're very polarizing. Our council chose to represent our community to the best of our ability, to the best of the information that we had and the best that we can moving forward," said Craig.
Dr. Solomon Secord monument outside of Kincardine's library, June 2018 (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
Another monument to Dr. Secord remains up in Kincardine's cemetery, and historical information about his time in Kincardine can be found at the local museum, Walker House.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada travellers share worries and frustrations ahead of possible pilot strike
Here's what customers had to say about their travel plans ahead of a potential Air Canada pilot strike.
Trudeau says Ukraine can strike deep into Russia with NATO arms, Putin hints at war
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ukraine should be allowed to strike deep inside Russia, regardless of Moscow threatening that this would draw Canada and its allies into direct war.
Driver charged with killing NHL's Johnny Gaudreau and his brother had .087 blood-alcohol level
The driver charged with killing NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew as they bicycled on a rural road had a blood-alcohol level of .087, above the .08 legal limit in New Jersey, a prosecutor said Friday.
Ontario's top court dismisses application for bail from Jacob Hoggard
Jacob Hoggard will remain behind bars while he tries to appeal his sexual assault conviction at Canada's top court, a justice with Ontario's Appeal Court ruled Friday, calling the musician's attempt unlikely to succeed.
2 suspects charged after Lamborghini stolen in armed home invasion in Richmond Hill: police
York Regional Police say they have arrested two suspects and are looking for at least one more following an armed home invasion in Richmond Hill that saw thieves escape in the victim’s Lamborghini.
Stuck-in-space astronauts make first public comments since Boeing capsule left without them
Stuck-in-space astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams said Friday they appreciated all the prayers and well wishes from strangers back home.
Former NHL enforcer Stephen Peat dies after being hit by car in B.C.
Stephen Peat, the former Washington Capitals enforcer who fought concussion issues and was homeless at times after leaving hockey, has died from injuries sustained late last month when he was struck by a car while crossing a street. He was 44.
A cat named Drifter is safe after sneaking out and getting trapped in a sewer for nearly 8 weeks
A cat aptly named Drifter is safe at home after sneaking outside and getting trapped in a sewer for nearly eight weeks.
LIVE UPDATES Air Canada flights could halt next week: Here's the latest
Air Canada's potential work stoppage could ground flights, halt cargo and leave travellers scrambling to reschedule next week. Follow along with live updates here.