Statement from Auburn Mayor, Bill Ham
5/5/2009
The issue surrounding councilman Dowdell's removal of flags from grave sites has clearly aroused passion and
rightly so. The community has made its feelings clear and my own heart has been heavy because of the hurt that
was done and the anger justly feel.
As a member of Council, our highest calling is to the people and our constant spirit should be to serve there best
interest, always striving to be worthy of the trust and confidence they place in us. Regardless of motives or emotions,
it is unacceptable that the civic duty and spirit of an elected official be so over come.
Let me be clear. This is not about race, the symbolism of a flag, or the cities cemetery policies. The issue here is the
removal of private property from a private grave.
It is my understanding that the United Daughters of the Confederacy replaced the flags taken from the graves before
the Confederate Memorial Day Ceremony, which was conducted peacefully and without incident. Last week I was
unable to facilitate a meeting between the councilmen and the two representatives of the Daughters in which the
flags where returned and compensation was provided for the flag that was broken. I give the councilmen credit for
returning the flags but more is required here.
I want to assure the Daughters that I will not support council action limiting anyone's right to honor there loved ones
by placing flags on there graves. As a directly injured party they could have filed an official complaint against
Councilman Dowdell and there would have been an official response from City officials and law enforcement. They
have not chosen to do so. I hope the Reverend Dowdell will appreciate that by not filing charges against him, They
have shown the great Christian spirit of forgiveness.
I call on Reverend Dowdell to act in a similar spirit and publically apologize for violating the graves of the fallen as
well as the property rights of his fellow citizens. I believe this important step would allow the community to put his
actions behind us.
I have received many calls, letters, and e-mails, as have many colleagues on the council. Many of you have called for
Councilman Dowdell's removal, but the city has reviewed applicable state law and this council has no legal standing
to remove him from office. Others have called for the Councilman's arrest. Since the alleged acts where not
witnessed directly by a police officer our procedure is to require a witness or property owner to come forward and
swear out a complaint. I can assure you that any complaint received from a witness or property owner will be
diligently pursued as any other complaint we receive.
The city of Auburn is a great and diverse community. I believe that the Auburn spirit is alive and well, unique and
strong. The diversity in our schools, industry and community is a critical piece of that spirit. The fact that so many of
the Auburn citizenry could responsibly and peacefully express such passion bears witness to the spirits strength. Our
ability to move forward from this incident will also attest the health of that spirit, and this great community.
5/5/2009
The issue surrounding councilman Dowdell's removal of flags from grave sites has clearly aroused passion and
rightly so. The community has made its feelings clear and my own heart has been heavy because of the hurt that
was done and the anger justly feel.
As a member of Council, our highest calling is to the people and our constant spirit should be to serve there best
interest, always striving to be worthy of the trust and confidence they place in us. Regardless of motives or emotions,
it is unacceptable that the civic duty and spirit of an elected official be so over come.
Let me be clear. This is not about race, the symbolism of a flag, or the cities cemetery policies. The issue here is the
removal of private property from a private grave.
It is my understanding that the United Daughters of the Confederacy replaced the flags taken from the graves before
the Confederate Memorial Day Ceremony, which was conducted peacefully and without incident. Last week I was
unable to facilitate a meeting between the councilmen and the two representatives of the Daughters in which the
flags where returned and compensation was provided for the flag that was broken. I give the councilmen credit for
returning the flags but more is required here.
I want to assure the Daughters that I will not support council action limiting anyone's right to honor there loved ones
by placing flags on there graves. As a directly injured party they could have filed an official complaint against
Councilman Dowdell and there would have been an official response from City officials and law enforcement. They
have not chosen to do so. I hope the Reverend Dowdell will appreciate that by not filing charges against him, They
have shown the great Christian spirit of forgiveness.
I call on Reverend Dowdell to act in a similar spirit and publically apologize for violating the graves of the fallen as
well as the property rights of his fellow citizens. I believe this important step would allow the community to put his
actions behind us.
I have received many calls, letters, and e-mails, as have many colleagues on the council. Many of you have called for
Councilman Dowdell's removal, but the city has reviewed applicable state law and this council has no legal standing
to remove him from office. Others have called for the Councilman's arrest. Since the alleged acts where not
witnessed directly by a police officer our procedure is to require a witness or property owner to come forward and
swear out a complaint. I can assure you that any complaint received from a witness or property owner will be
diligently pursued as any other complaint we receive.
The city of Auburn is a great and diverse community. I believe that the Auburn spirit is alive and well, unique and
strong. The diversity in our schools, industry and community is a critical piece of that spirit. The fact that so many of
the Auburn citizenry could responsibly and peacefully express such passion bears witness to the spirits strength. Our
ability to move forward from this incident will also attest the health of that spirit, and this great community.
| Statement from Auburn Mayor Bill Ham |
Click Here to see the Opelika Auburn news online video of the public apology
by Al Dowdell, slide show from council meeting and resolution.
by Al Dowdell, slide show from council meeting and resolution.
