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A rare split vote — and tense exchange among commissioners — doomed a last-minute proposal to contribute $10,000 toward a bronze statue of Mary Katherine Goddard, the woman who printed the Declaration of Independence.
The motion failed on a 3-3 vote after more than 25 minutes of debate at the end of the June 1 City Commission meeting. Commissioner Chad McLeod was absent. Commissioners Stephanie Madden, Terry Coney, and Mike Musick supported the funding, while Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley and Commissioners Ashley Troutman and Guy LaLonde Jr. opposed it.
The statue is a centerpiece of Lakeland’s yearlong America 250 celebration and is scheduled to be unveiled during Red, White & Kaboom on July 3. Coney, a veteran, said organizers originally budgeted $250,000 for the project and have raised about $245,000. However, final costs have climbed to roughly $268,000, leaving a gap as the project nears completion.
Supportive of the project, wary of the spending
Coney raised the issue Monday after commissioners had discussed funding for the project during a previous Commission meeting and agenda study.
Madden moved to contribute $10,000 from city reserves, expressing frustration that the Commission lacks another mechanism to support projects that commissioners believe have public value.
The commissioners who voted “no” emphasized that they support the monument itself.
“I believe in the project. I think it’s wonderful. I think it’s great,” Troutman said. “I like the symbolism that it creates, that there’s a woman that we’re reflecting as a lead participator in our Declaration of Independence signing.”
But Troutman said using reserve funds would not “send the right signal,” particularly as state leaders consider property-tax changes that could affect local government finances. McCarley and LaLonde raised similar concerns, arguing that approving the request could create expectations that the city would help fund other worthy projects in the future.
Commissioners also noted that the city is already contributing in-kind support by allowing the monument to be installed in Veterans Park and agreeing to maintain it in perpetuity.
Debating fiscal responsibility
McCarley said the issue was less about the amount of money than the process.
“Our organization runs on an $800 million budget, all of which is accounted for meticulously, to make sure that we are being financially good stewards of these dollars that come into public trust,” she said.
She suggested commissioners revisit the issue during budget discussions later this summer.
“If we did backroom deals, we already would’ve handled this monument and just made it happen, but that’s not how it works,” McCarley said.
The failed vote comes four months after the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency declined a similar $10,000 request, with board members citing concerns about setting a precedent — especially given the Legislature’s criticism of CRAs that spend money on activities other than community revitalization and economic growth.
Residents who would like to help close the funding gap can donate through the GiveWell Community Foundation’s Path to Freedom Fund page.
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I clicked the link to see the year long 250 celebrations. All I could find was the 2025 Veterans parade. The Kaboom is an annual event and doesn’t necessarily speak to 250 celebrations. It would be interesting to look at how we celebrated 1976 compared with what is done this year. I would suggest an interview with former Mayor Frank O’Reilly and events of the time. A look at historical data at the public library would also provide photos. Just a thought.
I beg your pardon. I find that Peggy C. Brown was mayor during this time. In any regard, a look at the celebrations during the 1976 period would be interesting.
what another sexist thing to look at every day. I think Lakeland has a lot more problems than to give money for this. Lakeland and its greed is unbelivabul. water shortage ha ha this has been going on for yrs and now that they wand everyone to come live here we have more water shotages and what about electric. Have you see your damn bill lateley ? now more money for run off stoem dranage and the fuel harge for the city cars and trucks as they let the workers drive hem home and shopping. I have seen this. now the police department wants a few more million when does this shiz stop? the onley people that an live a good life in lakeland now are the super rich and the criminals and the illegals as we the people pay for it all. I say lets remove these city officails and get some good American people that love our ways of life and land and where we came from in there to run things not greedy rich people that could care less about the family man and woman trying to do the right thing buy working our butts off to bay bills for every free loader out there. sorry to rant but the truth needs to be said.