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Attendees: Bob, Norm, Wayne and nine other people (sign-in sheet on file)
Tom Quick Monument
Visit our web page for background information.
TSUC gave interviews prior to the meeting on the issue to Blue Ridge Cable 13 News, River Reporter and Pocono Record.
There were representatives from all views - re-erect to destroy the monument. A member of the Milford Borough Council
was present, a historian and several local American Indian representatives.
One individual present will forward some positive references on the Quick family for inclusion on our web site.
They felt it was important to acknowledge the good things that they have done for our area. They also indicated
that it was inappropriate for someone to destroy the monument and suggested that it should be a federal crime since
the monument was historic.
Postmeeting Note: The information discussed above was not received by TSUC.
The monument was destroyed by unknown persons but many unjustly blame the American Indians.
An American Indian representative, agreed that it was inappropriate for someone to have destroyed the monument
in that way. He was pointed out that a monument to an "Indian Slayer" and its use of the term "savages"
promotes hatred towards American Indians. He said that we must speak of American Indians in the present and that
history depends on our perception of it. He used the Battle of Little Big Horn as an example. How many people survived
this battle? Many would say NONE. The factual answer is hundreds of American Indians. he suggested a resolution,
a "Friendship Park" that would honor the past and respect all within the community.
The monument was called a "Monument to Hate" by someone present at the meeting.
Someone suggested a monument to the American Indian that killed Tom Quick, Sr. This suggestion was not serious
but used as an example for an opposing view.
Someone compared the Tom Quick Monument coming down to that of the falling Saddam statue in Iraq.
There was a discussion about history. TSUC clearly indicated that we don't want to change history.
TSUC indicated that everyone connection to the issue must have input on the resolution - the Borough since they
legally own the monument, the Quick family since the monument base still rests over Tom Quick, Jr.'s remains, the
American Indians and community.
TSUC will prepare a position paper for a pathway to an enlightened resolution. TSUC will not have direct input
on the resolution itself. Our responsibility is to facilitate the issue to bring about community harmony and healing.
The draft paper will be available for comment - emailed to those in attendance and posted on our web site. A second
public meeting will be held prior to finalizing the position paper.
Postmeeting Note: Due to the emotional subject matter, TSUC decided not to publicize our June meeting. TSUC
meetings are open to the public. The meeting dates are posted on our web site and have been previously published
in the media. A full discussion at our June meeting was not planned. TSUC called all those present at the May meeting
to briefly discuss our plan and to invite them to our June meeting.
There were some emotional and tense moments during the meeting. However, everyone walked away with a positive
attitude towards working together on a resolution. The meeting ended with the song "Tom
Quick" by Noel Paul Stookey playing in the background.
Other
TSUC attended the "Music is the BEST Medicine" event organized
by TSDAC on May 18th.
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