(PENSACOLA, F.L.) --- The Pensacola Heritage Foundation refuses to take no for an answer.
A tie vote for the foundation’s commissioned Alexander Stoddart statue on April 9 took the item off the agenda until August 13. Four months later, foundation representatives, including Historian Norm Haines who spearheaded the project, citizens, and the sculptor made it clear that Stoddart deserves an honor at Bayview Park.
(Photo: Pensacola Heritage Foundation Historian Norm Haines makes a presentation to the Pensacola Parks and Recreation Board members in February for the first time)
In April, Council President Allison Patton, Councilmembers Jennifer Brahier, and Jared Moore voted for the statue, but Councilmembers Tenaide' Broughton, Councilman Delarian, and Charles Bare rejected it.
OpGov. reported on the statue’s debut in February, and kept an eye on the philanthropist and his endearing dog in a March report. By the time the statue was rejected in April, when other media outlets picked it up, OpGov.News was well versed in the matter.
As a matter of fact, OpGov.News knew the rejection was coming before the April 9 report, reporting on the April 6 Agenda Conference, when Bare made it clear he felt the statue represented racism.
Bare said that between having African American servants and making the area "his little empire," Stoddart does not deserve the park honor. But Bare’s rejection and argument fell silent at the August 13 council meeting, when residents made it clear the statue belongs.
(Photo: Councilwoman Tenaide Broughton changes her vote on the Alexander Stoddart statue approval)
Nancy Fetterman began likening the statue to the successful installation of the Galvez statue, which, like Stoddart, is a significant Pensacola historical figure.
Next, the sculptor Randy New told officials, “I know that every time I am involved in proposing one of these things, the first thing that the citizens ask is, ' Did tax dollars go for that?”
“But in this case, it's being funded completely and wholly by the Heritage Foundation,” New said. “No tax dollars are being spent on any of that.”
Councilwoman Broughton asked New to tell the audience a little bit about Stoddart to highlight his history of having African American servants.
“I am being hired by the Historical Foundation,” New said. “I'd like for the historical experts to speak on Stoddart.”
But what New did make clear is, “I would not do any work for anyone that is controversial in any way.”
“That is what I am asking,” Broughton said.
(Photo: Council President Allison Patton brings back the Alexander Stoddart statue before council)
Council President Patton became a voice of reason, noting, “Since this is my item, I'll just feel free to talk about it for a moment.”
“I feel very strongly about this project, which is why you see it back on your agenda,” Patton said. “This gentleman was a very significant contributor to really what is now East Hill and the city as a whole.”
Patton added, “The idea that one of our gems of a park, and it happens to be in my district, Bayview, was given to us by Alexander Stoddart, frankly, should be enough.”
David Riechberg and Bill Greehnut agree.
(Photo: Pensacola Heritage Foundation Historian Norm Haines confronts city council officials for the second time on August 13)
Riechberg also noted the Galvez monument, stating that both local historical figures like Stoddard and international ones like Galvez are crucial for promoting historic tourism and benefit the entire community.
Greenhut, a fourth-generation local, spoke passionately about the city's history and economic development, lauding Stoddart as a visionary entrepreneur who, after falling in love with Pensacola, invested his wealth to rebuild the city after the Civil War.
Greenhut ended, noting Haines for his historical research and lectures, urging the council to approve the statue that Haines made a significant personal financial contribution to.
Joan Coleman told officials she supported the statue since “progress without preservation of history is not good.”
“I have learned so much as a member of the Pensacola Heritage Foundation, including the contribution of Alexander Stoddart,” Coleman said. “I had no idea that at one time in the East Hill area, it had one of the most modern dairies in the nation.”
(Photo: Pensacola Parks and Recreation Board February presentation of Alexander Stoddart statue)
Reese Williams, Pensacola Heritage Foundation president, told officials the group has 350 members supporting Stoddart, who, after vacationing here, made it a home.
“He grew to appreciate the city and contributed a great deal of his wealth to making improvements benefiting the citizens of Pensacola,” Williams said. “Stoddart was rich, but he made his money in New York City, not Pensacola.”
Williams noted Stoddart personally paid for the construction of Lakeview Avenue and later donated the property that became Bayview Park.
“He encouraged the city to develop Bayview Park as a public recreation area,” Williams said. “He dug clean water wells throughout East Hill and championed sanitation, and he ran a local dairy farm that supplied fresh milk to citizens, and he also provided crucial fire insurance that sparked industrial development.”
Not to mention, “this very body, the City Council, thought enough of him to rename 12th Avenue Stoddart Avenue.”
(Photo: Mayor D.C Reeves shows his support for a statue rejected by the council four months ago)
Mayor D.C. Reeves thanked Patton for putting it back on the agenda, noting that while some may disagree, “we start from a place that we all want to do right by the city.”
Reeves then directed his comments to Haines, sharing his appreciation that the historian “put your own money up."
“I couldn't even imagine what it's taken to get here, so I just have enormous appreciation and gratitude for you putting this forward,” Reeves said.
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