Controversy Brews Over Potential Relocation of Century-Old WWI Statue in Kentucky Town
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Kentucky's Monticello - Concerns have been raised over the potential relocation of a beloved World War I doughboy monument that has stood at a busy crossroads in the heart of Monticello, Kentucky, for over a century. The destiny of the proposed relocation is unclear, but it has created a passionate discussion among locals and government officials.
Hundreds of citizens have contacted Magistrates Jeff Dishman and Jonathan Dobbs, expressing their desire to keep the famous doughboy monument in its present position, as disclosed by the magistrates. Veterans have considered starting a petition to stop the transfer, and the magistrates are prepared to take legal action to protect the monument if necessary.
Dobbs remarked on the statue's longstanding presence in the city's heart, calling it "an iconic figure that has been there for a hundred years."
As part of a larger plan to revitalize Michigan Avenue (KY 92) in the heart of Monticello, it has been proposed that the Doughboy monument be moved there. The problem begins at the road's junction with Main Street, where a sharp 90-degree curve presents difficulties for big rigs.
State Representative Ken Upchurch, a Republican from Monticello, has been pushing for the realignment of KY 92 to improve traffic flow after many incidents involving trucks crashing into surrounding buildings. The existing location of the monument may be affected by the planned realignment since it involves re-routing Michigan Avenue.
However, it should be noted that the project's ultimate layout is still up in the air. According to Amber Hale, who works with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the state is actively looking into several options and partnering with the community to find a solution that works for everyone.
The monument could be relocated to the plaza in front of the neighboring judicial center, to a corner of the square close to its existing placement, or to the empty land on Main Street just down the street from the county courthouse. The Downtown Monticello Foundation was responsible for clearing this property after a fire.
Residents of Monticello and all of Wayne County have a soft spot for the doughboy statue. The idea of commemorating local World War I veterans emerged immediately after the armistice was signed in 1918. In a tiny town park, a plaque honoring the local troops was installed next to a doughboy statue on a granite pedestal.
About 3,500 people showed out on a windy Sunday in April 1923 to see the unveiling of "The Spirit of the American Doughboy." Indiana-based artist and sculptor E.M. Viquesney created this bronze statue of a soldier with a weapon and grenade in his hands.
This famous sculpture now belongs to a larger cultural canon. The Tour of Honour, which organizes motorcycle rides to war monuments nationwide to honor soldiers and collect money for charity, features this statue as one of eight Viquesney-designed doughboy sculptures in Kentucky.
The statue's value is widely acknowledged even though views on its relocation differ. Some say the doughboy should remain in its current place to honor its historical significance, while others advocate relocating it. No matter what happens, the monument will always have a special place in the hearts of Monticello's citizens, and the discussion about its future will only get more heated.
Tom Simmons, the county attorney, said it best when he described the "heavy feelings" on both sides and the need for a peaceful conclusion.
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