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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-27 20-239 Order 07/27/202020-239 07/27/2020 20-239 Legal Order N/A Title, Order Directing the Commission on Cultural Development, Pursuant to Ordinance Section 95-8, to Consider the Proposal to Deaccession the Estevan Gomez Monument This order will direct the Commission on Cultural Development, pursuant to Ordinance Section 95-8, to consider a proposal to deaccession the Estevan Gomez Monument. In 1999, the City of Bangor accepted a monument from New Bedford, MA. This monument commemorates the Portuguese Explorer Estevan Gomez and is currently displayed on City owned property at 200 Broad Street. The Penobscot Nation and others have brought concerns forward to the City Council stemming from historical reports that Estevan Gomez abducted Native Americans and attempted to sell them into slavery. If approved, this Order will direct the Commission on Cultural Development ("the Commission") to review, in accordance with the City's Public Art and Monuments Policy, whether the City should deaccession the Estevan Gomez Monument. By City Ordinance Section 95-8, such review must begin with the Commission. This Order also encourages the Commission to listen to all groups and individuals who wish to be heard, regardless of the viewpoint of such people or groups. The Commission should also consider hearing from the Bangor Historical Society, the Penobscot Nation, any descendants of Estevan Gomez, and any members of a Portuguese community. This Order requests that the Commission recommend where the monument could be placed or housed, if it is deaccessioned, and determine if any historical marker involving Mr. Gomez should be placed in the 200 Broad Street area. If the Commission believes that such a marker should be placed, it is asked to work with local historians to recommend appropriate language for such a marker that would tell the entire history of that area and of Mr. Gomez. Recommend for passage New Business 07/27/202020-239 CITY OF BANGOR ORDER 07/27/2020 20-239 Nichols Directing the Commission on Cultural Development, Pursuant to Ordinance Section 95-8, to Consider the Proposal to Deaccession the Estevan Gomez Monument WHEREAS, in 1999, the City of Bangor accepted a monument from New Bedford, MA, that commemorates the Portuguese Explorer Estevan Gomez; WHEREAS, historical reports indicate that Estevan Gomez abducted Native Americans and attempted to sell them into slavery; WHEREAS, the Penobscot Nation and others have expressed concern over the City's display of said monument at 200 Broad Street; WHEREAS, Section 95-8 of the City's code of ordinances requires that the Commission on Cultural Development review and make recommendations on the deaccessioning of monuments; and WHEREAS, the City has a written policy that the Commission must follow; Be it Ordered by the City Council of the City of Bangor that, the Commission on Cultural Development is directed to consider and make recommendations to this Council on the deaccessioning of the Estevan Gomez Monument currently located at 200 Broad Street, to follow the City's Public Art and Monuments policy in so considering said deaccessioning, to conduct all research necessary, and to obtain all relevant input. The City Council specifically requests and encourages the Commission on Cultural Development to do the following: 1. Hear from all groups or individuals who want to be heard, regardless of their viewpoint. Without limitation, said individuals and groups should include the Bangor Historical Society, the Penobscot Nation, any descendants of Estevan Gomez, and any member of a Portuguese community, 2. Make recommendation, regardless whether the Commission recommends deaccession, to the Council of where said monument should be placed in the event that it is deaccessioned, and 3. Consider whether, if said monument is in-fact deacessioned, there should be a historical marker that involves Estevan Gomez placed at the 200 Broad Street location. If the Commission recommends that such a marker would be appropriate, it is asked to work with historians to provide language that would be both historically accurate and tell the full story of that area and of Mr. Gomez. IN CITY COUNCIL JULY 27,2020 CO 20-239 Motion made and seconded for Passage Vote: 9—0 Councilors Voting Yes: Fournier,Hawes,Nichols, Okafor, Schaefer, Sprague, Supica,Tremble,Davitt Councilors Voting No: None Passed CITY LERK