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A replica of a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. unveiled at a celebration of King’s life at the Ansonia Armory in April.
ANSONIA — A committee seeking to install a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. in a park next to City Hall asked the proposal to be shelved after opposition from people who said the space should be reserved for veterans.
A meeting between city officials and the committee is scheduled for this week.
The bust has been in the works for years. The city has contributed $2,000 toward fundraising efforts for the monument.
A committee led by Macedonia Baptist Church Rev. Alfred Smith has headed up the efforts.
Click play on the video below to see a replica of the bust being unveiled by Smith, state Sen. George Logan, Mayor David Cassetti, and others at a celebration of King’s life in April.
But the committee’s request to put it in Veterans Park next to City Hall led to opposition from some veterans who said the space should be reserved to honor only Ansonians who have served in the military.
For example, at last month’s Aldermen meeting, Bill Phipps suggested the bust be placed in nearby Haddad Park at the intersection of Main and Bridge streets.
At last week’s Aldermen’s meeting, Ed Phipps also voiced opposition.
“(The park) is dedicated to the veterans and citizens of this town. I don’t think it should be any other thing but for veterans,” he said.
While not permanent fixtures, the park has hosted a number of non-military themed events and features, such as concerts, a “Valley Market Place,” and an annual Christmas Tree lighting and Christian nativity scene.
Rev. Smith mentioned the creche while speaking to Aldermen last week.
“Last time I checked, Jesus was not a veteran, although we are in favor of the nativity scene,” he said.
In a letter sent to Aldermen opposing the placement of the bust in the park, Jack Granatie, the commander of the Gordon-Visselli American Legion Post 50, drew the distinction between “the use of the park for city events and temporary displays” while opposing “any permanent non-veteran related monument” in the park.
Smith and other members of the committee said they were disappointed because no one who voiced opposition to the bust being the park had reached out to them to discuss the issue.
Committee member David Gatison noted how long the bust project has been in the works.
“This is not something that just happened last week,” he said.
Rev. Smith quoted the classic film “Cool Hand Luke” to express his chagrin.
“What we have here is a failure to communicate,” he said. “No one has contacted anybody on that committee. The Bible says if I’ve got a problem with you, I need to go to you and not go to someone else.”
Bruce Goldson Jr., another member of the committee — and 20-year Army veteran — quoted Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in remarks to Aldermen, noting that just as veterans fought for freedom, so did King.
“I’m a veteran and I do believe in Dr. King’s memorial being there,” Goldson said.
But Smith said the members of the committee opted to emulate King, whose life’s work was dedicated to bringing people together before he was assassinated in 1968.
“There can be some perceptual views that this is a racial issue,” Rev. Smith said. “But we pulled the vote off the table because we don’t want to be a part of that kind of division.”
Smith thanked Mayor Cassetti for his involvement and past support of the project.
“But you know what?” he said. “As a politician, sometimes you’ve got to look beyond being reelected. Doing the right thing is always the right thing.”
After Smith spoke, Board of Alderman President Lorie Vaccaro promised to set up a meeting between city officials and the bust committee.
In an email, Vaccaro said Monday the meeting has been scheduled for this week.
“Representatives from the board, along with the Mayor’s staff will be meeting with the Martin Luther King committee to review all options on Wednesday, November 28,” Vaccaro said. “We are looking to secure the highest amount of visibility for this display, and a location where Its meaning and significance will not be lost.”
Vaccaro was one of eight Aldermen in attendance at last week’s meeting. The others were Chicago Rivers, David Blackwell, Joshua Shuart, Joseph Cassetti, Domenico Filippone, Dan King, and Frank DeLibero.
Aldermen not in attendance — Charles Stowe, Phil Tripp, Richard Kaslaitis, Martin Dempsey Jr., Kevin O’Brien, and Joseph Jaumann.
A video of last week’s Aldermen’s meeting is posted below.
