World renown architect Richard Sharp Smith, who was the supervising architect for the Biltmore House, was commissioned to design and construct the Vance monument. It was erected in 1897 and rededicated to Zebulon Vance, former NC Governor, in 1938.  We, the undersigned, are committed to preserving historical monuments, markers, art, records, and relics that are part of America's past. We oppose the decision of Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to remove historical monuments from Asheville and Buncombe County, NC.  Buncombe County and Asheville's elected officials formed a task force to gather community feedback re: Vance Monument. However, in order to qualify to be on the task force, each individual had to acknowledge that the Vance monument should be removed or re-purposed into something new. This criteria unfairly and unjustly prevented those who wanted to keep the monument from being eligible to serve on the monument task force. We believe historical monuments on public property are the property of the people, not city council and not the board of commissioners, and should be preserved. The Vance monument is a unique and elegant piece of art, crafted by a prominent architect in the form of an Egyptian obelisk. It should not be removed or repurposed.