A draft drawing of the proposed William Preston memorial.

Consideration of a memorandum of understanding regarding the Col. William Preston Memorial came before the Botetourt Board of Supervisors.

Seventeen years ago the Sons of the American Revolution planted an idea for a Memorial of Col. William Preston of Greenfield .  In 2007 the matter came before the board again. The SAR raised over $40,000 to contribute to building the monument on the Greenfield Education and Training and Center Property on overlooking Greenfield. The cost will be an estimated $250,000.

Rupert Cutler spokesman for the SAR gave a few historical remarks  about not only Preston but also the 17 year process. The conceptual design is like a rose with at least two entries and exits. “So here we are,  Cutler stated, “17 years after our initial meeting with you all to suggest we honor Col. Preston, with a memorandum of Understanding that our lawyer, Michael Smetzler and Deputy County Administrator David Moorman have worked on together. We hope you will adopt it today.”

Moorman recommended the memorandum be adopted subject to the review of the county attorney in the Capital Improvements budget in the future. Supervisor Terry Austin suggested that the location might be  near the site of the old slave quarters instead of the  north lawn of GETC.  Moorman said perhaps the county and the SAR  to have specifics of the location of the memorial be left out in the memorandum that it will be agreeable among the parties at some future date.

Clinton said that are some inconsistencies in language and that the board adopt it in principle. The board approved the memorandum of understanding after some discussion.