Parksley schedules public hearing on proposed sale of Confederate monument and land

The Parksley Town Council voted on July 13 to schedule a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed sale and conveyance of a Confederate monument and the parcel it occupies.

Background and legal review: Mayor Frank Russell said the council had previously voted to sell the monument for $1 to a veterans group. Attorney T. Dix cautioned that county records indicate the town owns the land and that he was still researching title and the proper legal conveyance. A representative of the Sons of Confederate Veterans described an arrangement in which the Virginia division would accept the monument and land with a reversion clause to the national organization if that division later failed.

Council action: Councilman Ricky Taylor withdrew a motion to sell immediately after Attorney Dix reminded the council that disposing of public land requires a public hearing. Taylor then moved (seconded by Councilwoman Dana Bundick) that the town hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. before the next council meeting to receive public comments on the proposed sale; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Conveyance of public land and historic monuments touches legal title, public process requirements and community sentiment. By scheduling a hearing the council preserved residents’ ability to comment before any final conveyance.

Next step: Attorney Dix will continue title research; the council will hold the public hearing at the posted time and then consider any required vote to convey or refuse transfer.