North Carolina Division SCV
Headquarter’s Telegram
REIDSVILLE MONUMENT UPDATE
December 7, 2011

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Men,
 
The following information is to keep you informed of our legal struggle to preserve the Reidsville Statue.
 
The SCV has come into possession of emails between Aileen Ezell, state president of the UDC, and Michael Pearce, city manager of Reidsville, regarding the Confederate monument which was removed by the city in September, after it was hit by a van in May.  These emails are very disturbing, partly because of the disparaging way that Mrs. Ezell refers to the local Reidsville UDC chapter in these communications.
 
However, much more disturbing is that it appears that on October 21, the city asked Mrs. Ezell if the UDC would allow the monument to be returned to its original prominent location at the intersection of Scales Street and Morehead Street in downtown Reidsville.  Many individuals, as well as the local Reidsville UDC chapter and the NC SCV and HPAC, have been working hard for that outcome.  However, it appears that on October 21, Mrs. Ezell rejected the city’s offer to restore the monument to its original location unless the UDC would be given title to the land!
 
Also, apparently some Rockingham County commissioners worked out a deal to move the monument to the lawn of the old county courthouse in nearby Wentworth, which is being converted into a history museum.  Again, Mrs. Ezell rejected the offer unless the UDC would be given title to the land!  Mrs. Ezell’s demand to move the monument to private property is disappointing to all involved.
 
Also, as you can see, the city and the UDC obtained a restoration estimate of $28,000 from a professional monument restorer in June.  However, in August, Mrs. Ezell asked the city not to announce that the UDC planned to repair the monument, because Mrs. Ezell was negotiating to increase the insurance settlement by asking for replacement costs.  It is unclear from these emails how much money Mrs. Ezell settled for, whether she informed the insurance company of the $28,000 repair estimate, or whether she informed the insurance company of the 1910 federal government opinion that the UDC does not own the monument.
 
This can be shared with UDC members.  They have a right to know.
 
Tom Smith
NC Division Commander
Sons of Confederate Veterans