Our petitioner-backed letters to the Governor, Deputy Governor and House Speaker are having an impact! Even though only Governor Abbott responded to our letters, the Texas Preservation Board has now been directed to hold proper public hearings on the matter. Previously, at our request for information, a North Texas Representative made inquiries to the Preservation Board regarding the issue of the Texas Open Meetings Act and whether the Board was in compliance with the law. We are currently awaiting transcripts (if any) of the deliberations.

Interestingly, as the article pointed out, the Governor, Deputy Governor and House Speaker did not show up at today's board meeting but sent staff members instead.

It is important that monuments not be relegated to a non-visible off-site location. This is an issue of the right of public freedom of speech and public freedom of assembly. A few members of the historical society community have unwittingly collaborated with the radical iconoclasts by agreeing or requesting to take monuments and place them with small museums or other obscure locations under the notion that "out of sight is out of mind." This is not what we want. Our goal should be to return the monuments to their original public locations in effect prior to the point of their removal.

Please call, write, fax, and if you are in Austin, visit the Board and voice your concerns. Preferably do all of the above. Now is the opportunity to finally be heard and reverse the radical tide of iconoclasm. No more stealth decisions and back room deals to cleanse our history!

Below is the contact information for the Texas Preservation Board

Hours: Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Reception Closed - Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Address: 201 E 14th Street. Suite 950, Austin, Texas 78701 (Sam Houston State Office Building)

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13286, Austin, Texas 78711

Phone:

Main Office - 512.463.5495
Fax - 512.463.3372

E-mail: webmaster@tspb.texas.gov