Goodbye, Columbus.
Maysville City Commission agreed Thursday to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday of October each year, replacing what has been traditionally celebrated as Columbus Day in honor of the man once credited with being the first to “discover” the Americas.
The change came at the request of Lance Soto of the American Indian Movement Chapter of Indiana and Kentucky, a resident of Mason County and a director of the Kentucky native American Coalition.
While outlining some of the misdeeds associated today with Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World, Soto said his people would prefer to look forward rather than dwell on the past.
“We want to work together and make a better tomorrow,” Soto said.
Cincinnati and Louisville have both passed a similar resolution as the movement makes its way across the nation.
Soto said he came to Maysville Commission to request the change because “I want to start with Maysville. It’s where I raised my children.”
Mayor David Cartmell seconded a motion to make the change and called for discussion, acknowledging the presence of a large chapter of the Knights of Columbus fraternal group in Maysville and even on city commission.
Commissioner Kelly Ashley said he is not against Indigenous Peoples Day but questioned why it couldn’t be celebrated on another day.
“To Italian people, this is their holiday,” he said.
Soto said history concerning Columbus has been “white-washed” and suggested “we need to be able to lean the true history. My people, we are still feeling the effects …We want to move forward.”
He also said “Italian-Americans deserve better.”
Cartmell called for a vote and in the end cast the deciding ballot, with Commissioners Victor McKay and Judy Pfeffer voting against the issue and Commissioners Jeff Brammer and Ashley voting with the mayor in favor.
Commissioners also heard from attorney David Mussetter, speaking on behalf of local business owner Tommy Henderson who is operating an inside recycling operation in a former tobacco warehouse in the city.
Complaints were received against the operation after some vehicles were left outside over the weekend, Cartmell said.
But Cartmell said the city wants to work with the business to prevent any issues in the future.
“I know Tommy has made some considerable investments here,” he said.
Mussetter said Henderson has done his best to stay in compliance with city regulations and said he would appreciate some consideration for his client.
Also Thursday, commissioners heard a six-month update from Fire Chief Kevin Doyle on the operation of the ambulance service and expanded transfers.
The city has transferred 463 patients to out-of-town hospitals during that period and collected about $185,000 in fees, with $73,000 of that profit.
While it has worked with a private ambulance service in the past and continues to do so to provide transfers, as a holder of a Certificate of Need, the city is responsible for that service, Doyle said.
The only downside to the department has been the added workload on EMTs and paramedics, he said, although part-time personnel are being utilized some.
In other business, commissioners:
— Appointed Clay Hedgecock and Phil Weber to Board of Architectural Review.
— Appointed Debbie Lewis and Janice Barnett to Board of Ethics.
— Appointed Meagan Brannon, Dawn Browning and Michael Parker to terms on the Main Street Board and Fran Sarver to fill the unexpired term of Andrew Wood.
— Appointed Duke Ford, Liz Miller and Lori Brookbank to Cemetery Board.
— Accepted the resignations of Ryan Heminger and Brent Rose from Public Works Department.
— Approve a resolution authorizing change order for waste water treatment plant.
— Approve a resolution authorizing change orders for sewer line extension.
— Approve a resolution approving annual Main Street letter of commitment.
— Approve a resolution authorizing easement for Thompson-Hunt Properties.
— Approve a resolution authorizing monthly landfill sewer line payment.
— Held the first reading of an ordinance amending Code of Ordinances to name the city clerk as ABC administrator.
— Held the second reading of an ordinance awarding franchise for solid waste collection to Rumpke.
— Held the second reading of an ordinances Section 320.305, change of penalties, second reading; 18-36
— Held the second reading of an ordinance amending Code of Ordinances condemned property fines.
— Held the second reading of an ordinance amending Code of Ordinances Section 278.99, civil fines.
The city meeting was the last for both Pfeffer and Cartmell. Pfeffer was presented with a print for her service and a reception to honor Cartmell is set for Dec. 18 at the Cox Building.