From Judge/Executive Kevin Neal concerning the controversy over the Confederate flag the flew over the Marshall County Courthouse.
I want to first say I appreciate and thank all the people who reached out to me over the past few weeks and expressed their opinions, concerns, support and experiences regarding the Flags on the Courthouse grounds. As Judge Executive, it is important to hear from citizens regarding any issues and even more importantly to listen to those who reach out.
This is what I now plan to do after hearing from so many of you. I have communicated with Commissioner Lamb on this and he agrees, neither the Union nor Confederate flag will be flown on the Courthouse grounds. The Flags will come down today. Many of you have expressed that the Courthouse grounds should not be a place for this flag display. I intend to ask the Fiscal Court to write policies regarding the Courthouse grounds and properties. As the Judge Executive, I carry out those policies put in my place by the Fiscal Court. The Veterans Plaza is the location many of you recommended as the proper location to recognize these Veterans.
The intent in displaying these flags was never to offend anyone, although many expressed this was the unintended effect. We value the thoughts and opinions of our citizens when dealing with controversial issues which has led us to taking down the flags today and letting the Fiscal Court discuss the proper location.
Kevin Neal
Judge Executive