What's Wrong at the Florence Historical Board?

 

A regular and savvy reader has sent us an insightful take on a Florence problem:

The Florence City Council has no choice but to remove Brian W. Murphy

Volunteer citizen advisory boards are an integral part of local government. Unfortunately, in some situations it can become very easy to encounter conflicts of interest. This is especially true for the chairperson.

According to Robert's Rules of Order the most important principle that all presiding officers must remember is that they represent all members, not just a select few with whom they agree. 

In the case of the Florence Historical Board senior age members with different view points were removed and replaced in favor of individuals that all shared a similar outlook.

The City of Florence is an area the size of 26.7 square miles. The entire historical board is currently made up of individuals that many would consider to be neighbors. So as far as city wide diversity and age discrimination goes the Florence Historical Board receives an F-. 

This dramatic change began three years ago after the installation of Brian Murphy as chairman. Murphy did not serve on the board prior to being made chairman.

Another important reminder, according to Robert's Rules of Order, is the ability to be impartial. Does any person actually believe that Murphy is capable of being impartial?

In a recent article on this blog site it was observed that Brian Murphy, curator of museums, demonstrating at city hall was in fact him protesting against his own employer. 

In July of 2020, the annual W.C. Handy Music Festival was scheduled to take place, but was canceled due to COVID-19. Project Say Something, with whom Brian Murphy is also a board member, began a campaign to coincide with the festival called "No Justice No Peace No Tourism." 

This PSS video that kicked of the "No Justice No Peace No Tourism" campaign can be found here: 

https://fb.watch/2F1X-qhza9/

I would like to know exactly how did our city museum curator and PSS think that tourism would come to a sudden halt, and how could that not be perceived as a direct threat? After all the W.C. Handy Music Festival draws people from far and wide during normal non-world-wide pandemics every year. 

Museum tourism has a powerful economic impact on the economy of our area as well as nationwide. Pope's Tavern for example welcomes tourists and school children on field trips every year. Brian Murphy is curator for Pope's Tavern in addition to the Indian Mound Museum. 

Another member of the Historical Board recently wrote that Pope's Tavern, "is no longer a pro-Confederate, 'Lost Cause' memorial." The young lady went on to explain how now, "I could take my kids to learn about the history of Florence."

A full tour of Pope's Tavern from 4 years ago (before Murphy) can be found here:

https://youtu.be/GjVmQRsOKms

If this young lady really felt that Pope's Tavern was an unsafe place before Murphy then she too is unfit to serve on the historical board. Just because you are a recent college graduate with a degree on a certain subject does not mean that you are qualified. 

When the city refuses to take responsibility for its own misjudgments it can only lead to speculation and imagination as to the reasons why. What are the motives of certain council members? Why are the bonds between certain council members and city workers so tight? In the case of Dick Jordan and his wife Libby Jordan it is obvious. 

Why would Jordan be willing to destroy his own legacy for Murphy? Enquiring minds really would like to know!