From: Lunelle Siegel <siegels1@mindspring.com>
Date: Sat, Nov 30, 2013
Subject: Olustee Help Needed
To: siegels1@mindspring.com
Friends of Southern Heritage, despite the overwhelming weight of comments (including may of yours) opposed to the special monument, it appears that the State has not rescinded on their decision to allow the Special Federal Monument on the Olustee State Park site.
We’re not willing to give up the battle yet, and I’m asking for your help. It is time to intensify our opposition!
1. Will you please sign an online petition opposing the monument (if you haven’t done so, already)? Please sign it and forward it to friends and family to sign also.
Link: https://www.change.org/petitions/state-of-florida-parks-department-stop-the-special-monument-at-olustee
We would like to present 1000 petitions (Between paper and online) to the officials at the Public Meeting on Monday night.
2. Would you please be willing to call or email the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection that oversees the Parks department? Wouldn’t it be great to fill up his inbox before the public meeting Monday night? His email is Herschel.vinyard@edp.state.fl.us His office phone number is: 850-245-2011 (see bio on Mr. Vinyard below)
Suggested message: The will of the majority of the concerned citizens of Florida is being ignored with your agency’s current plans to go forward with a Special monument to one side of the battle at Olustee. The State of Florida, along with the citizens of Florida erected a fitting and proper monument to the American Veterans who participated in that conflict. No special monuments are needed. Please act to stop the special monument.
(Use your own words, please be polite).
3. Can you attend the public hearing this Monday Night (Dec. 2)? We want to “fill the house”! Even if you don’t want to make a public comment, there will be stickers and posters available to show your opposition to the “special monument”. We’re organizing a group from Tampa, and we have seats available in our Van (let me know if you’re in the Tampa area and would like to join in). Organize a car pool – try to get as many people as you can to come. (see meeting info below)
If you’re willing to speak, even brief comments will be effective “My name is ______, and I am here to oppose the proposed special monument on this site”. Please be careful not to be viewed as opposed to “VETERANS MONUMENTS”…we just don’t want that BIG monument at THIS park.
4. Ask other to join in? – Who do you know that lives in Florida that you can ask to do any or all of the above.
Thank you for what you have done and what you will do for this important effort! Let’s all participate to make sure we win the second Battle of Olustee.
Lunelle Siegel
A Concerned Citizen for Protection of the Park
813-727-3920
_______________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND ON OLUSTEE
In 1912 a Monument commemorating the Battle and Forces of Both sides was erected by a Monument Commission established by State of Florida and paid for by private citizens. The land for the monument was procured by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and donated to the State for this unique historical and cultural park.
‘Balanced’ text on the Monument erected in 1912 by the Commission established by Florida Law:
"The Battle of Olustee was Fought on this Ground February 20th 1864
Between 5,000 Confederate Troops Commanded by General Joseph E. Finegan and 6,000 Federal Troops under General Truman Seymour.
The Federals were defeated with a loss of 2,000 men. The Confederate loss was less than 1,000."
In 2013, the Sons of Union Veterans of The Civil War asked for and received approval for a Darth Vadar-esque obsidian obelisk that, if constructed, would degrade the historical and cultural value of this special site. Ladies of the UDC discovered the plan, and since September of this year, SCV forces have been trying to reverse the approval. The SUVCW’s rationale is that there is no special monument to Federal troops, however there is a large one on an adjacent parcel that was erected during the Centennial of the WBTS.
BIO ON SECRETARY VINYARD
About Herschel Vinyard:
Prior to becoming Secretary of the Florida Department of Environment Protection, Vinyard has more than twenty years of experience in environmental law and business management. He served as director of business operations at BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards, responsible for strategic planning, business development and regulatory and government affairs. BAE is the world’s second largest defense contractor. He also served on a number of professional and civic associations that draw upon his expertise in environmental and complex business practices. This includes board service on the Jacksonville Port Authority, the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Manufactures Association of Florida. During his decade in private practice at Smith, Hulsey and Busey, Vinyard counseled clients in state and federal environmental compliance and permitting, was heavily involved in the siting of an electrical cogenerating facility and assisted in industry waste minimization efforts. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State University.
PUBLIC MEETING INFO
DATE AND TIME: Monday, December 2, 2013, 6:30 p.m. (EST)
PLACE: Columbia County School District Auditorium, 372 West Duval Street, Lake City, Florida 32055
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Presentation of potential locations for a proposed Union monument at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park for public review and comment. A copy of the workshop agenda is attached.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the workshop by contacting: Michelle Waterman, Park Manager, Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs, Florida 32096, PH# (386) 397-2733, FAX # (386) 397-4262, or email Michelle.Waterman@dep.state.fl.us
If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800) 955-8770 (Voice).
