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Editorial: Retain ownership

There’s a whole lot to unpack from last week’s Mathews Board of Supervisors’ meeting; the issue could be fodder for countless editorials. But instead, let’s all take a step back and take a deep breath, as one of our correspondents says this week.

The issue of what to do with the county’s Confederate memorial—whether it should remain on the court green or be moved elsewhere—was on the 2021 ballot and, by about a margin of more than 80 percent, county voters said it should stay right where it is.

One would have thought that put an end to the matter, at least for the foreseeable future. But in April, seemingly out of nowhere, a push began to ensure that the monument would remain at its current location in perpetuity … by deeding the land where it sits to a group such as the Sons of the Confederate Veterans who, it was assumed, would never wish to move it.

Last week’s hearing was just about considering the concept of deeding public property to a private entity, not about the spec...

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