We, the Rowan Rifle’s Camp No. 405 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Robert F. Hoke Chapter No. 78 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, have declined the invitation issued by the mayor and City Council to discuss the veterans monument “Fame.”

What is there to discuss? The City Council voted two years ago that it had no jurisdiction over the monument. In addition, a recent poll by the Salisbury Post revealed that a majority of people want the monument to remain undisturbed in its current location.

We do not understand the need for this meeting. The only discussion that the City Council needs to offer is that the city has no jurisdiction. Our absence should not be taken as a lack of concern for the monument. Quite the opposite, it is lack of concern for a meeting that is being held to discuss a moot point.

This is the same reason we declined the invitation to come to the private meeting on May 27, and it holds true for this meeting. We are of the opinion this meeting is being held as another way to continue to divide the community and create strife where none exists.

As the City Council has already established, is does not have jurisdiction over the monument. The subject is moot. “Fame” belongs to the Robert F. Hoke Chapter 78 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, period.

— Steve Poteat

Rowan County

Editor’s note: Poteat is commander of Rowan Rifles No. 405, the local chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.