FLORIDA – The Marion County Commission on Tuesday unanimously agreed to restore the Confederate flag that had been removed from the McPherson Governmental Complex two weeks ago.

Several members of the public spoke in favor of restoring the flag during the commission’s bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday morning. At the end of the meeting, the commission unanimously agreed to restore the flag. It will also create a historical display so that people can understand the significance of the Confederate flag as well as the other flags flying in front of the complex.

The Confederate flag was removed in the wake of the June 17 killing of African-American churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina. The accused killer had expressed racist beliefs and had been pictured waving the Confederate flag.

Towns throughout the South removed the flag.

Interim County Administrator Bill Kauffman decided to remove the flag because of the “perceived connotations of displaying the flag at governmental agencies,” said Marion County spokeswoman Barbra Hernandez.

At the same time, the county is “respectful of history,” Hernandez explained. On that note, many people throughout the County voiced concern over removing the flag.

“What I realized is that we have not done justice to the historical display,” commission Chairman Stan McClain said at Tuesday’s meeting. “I’m sure most folks are in favor of educating the community.”  (read more)