Today I submitted a list of signatures to the Manatee County Commissioners along with a letter explaining why there needs to be change. My hope is that this subject will be added to the agenda of one of the future commission meetings of which I plan to attend with anyone who is able to join me. I will give updates to how this is moving forward as I receive them. Thank you all again for your support. Let's take this to the next level! "Dear Board of County Commissioners, My name is Anthony Pusateri and I am the author of the petition on Change.org calling for the removal of the Confederate monument in front of the old courthouse and replacing it with a statue of Snooty the Manatee. I am writing you to formally submit the most updated list of signatures for my petition. This petition has collected over 12,300 signatures from current and former residents of Manatee County along with people all over the world who have visited this area or were at least familiar with who Snooty was. As you can see, the support for this cause has gained massive momentum and people would like to see this idea move forward. With that being said, I am humbly requesting an audience with the Commission to hear your input on this matter and to see about coming up with a plan to make this a reality. If this matter is not addressed, the very presence of the Confederate monument in its current location will continue to be a subject of great concern to the people that its symbolism affects. In 2017, the legacy of the Confederacy is viewed, by many people who are coming into the workforce and becoming leaders in their communities, as a symbol of divisiveness, bigotry, and most of all…slavery. Subsequently, the idea of replacing a monument which memorializes individuals who fought to defend the idea that people of color are not equal to “the White man” with a statue of something that has brought much joy to the community would be a step in the right direction in distancing Manatee County from such an abhorrent plight. I am very much aware that even though this a part of history that many people would like to see erased, it is still a part of our nation’s history whether we like it or not. This is why I am suggesting that the Confederate monument be moved to a more appropriate location such as Gamble Plantation in Ellenton; a place teeming with Southern Antebellum history. I have heard that Commissioner Charles Smith has suggested replacing the Confederate monument with a memorial to honor fallen law enforcement instead of a statue of Snooty which is also an acceptable idea. I am completely open to negotiation and compromise regarding ideas as to what can be done to make sure the goals of this petition are achieved. Furthermore, I am willing to work with the proper channels to make sure whatever changes are made are made properly. In conclusion, I strongly feel that this is a cause that a good portion of the community can get behind to make sure our beloved Snooty receives his well deserved memorial and that we can move forward from an antiquated ideology that serves as a reminder of what this nation should strive to never tolerate. I can be reached via email or on my personal cell at [Redacted] should any of you have any questions or concerns. I thank you for taking the time to consider this proposal and I look forward to working with you in the future. Respectfully, Anthony J. Pusateri"