Tyrone Town Council keeps mural with Confederate soldier as is

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga — A variety of opinions filled the Tyrone Town Hall on Thursday night as a town mural that features a Confederate soldier was up for debate.

“We cannot erase history. We may not like it but we must learn from it,” one resident said.

“A mural should represent a Tyrone that is historically correct and should show diversity as our history has shown diversity,” said Tyrone resident Sydney Baker.

It was a packed house at the first Town Council meeting since officials covered up the controversial mural on August 17.

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The council voted 3-1 Thursday to keep the mural as is after nearly two hours of public comment.

“With them coming out to speak like this, they deserved a vote,” said Mayor Eric Dial.

State Representative Derrick Jackson was the first to speak out against the mural and is worried about an economic impact.

“Georgia is No. 1 in filming, $9.5 billion revenue, Tyrone is going to be a part of that, I would hate for this mural to come up again which it will, when it relates to the filming industry," Jackson said.

Tyrone resident Greg Pearson spoke in favor of leaving the mural in place and left the meeting satisfied.

“I don’t see anything logical argument for changing it, or doing away with it,” Pearson said.

Cox Media Group