From: Iren Jenny
Sent: Sunday, January 5, 2025 6:20 PM
To: Margie Mohler <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] George Yount Remembrance
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Good Evening Marjorie,
It was very informative and pleasant to speak with you this weekend.
We both share much love for the history of our beloved Town, Yountville. And with remembering and respecting those who made it what it is.
When previously you and the Town Council met and discussed the gift of the statue of George Yount that was given to the Town, there was much discussion about the appropriateness of placing it somewhere in Town. There was some negative reaction and the decision was to not include it in any future plans or projects.
I wrote about it in my “ This is what I think” column and not only was my panel very much for the inclusion of George Yount in some sort of memorial, but the number of emails, calls and texts I received was truly an indication that the citizenry of Yountville wanted George Yount remembered.
I did not approach you or any of the
Council members, because I truly believe you are all doing a great job and really have the best intentions and are the best group governing this Town.
But now that you may open this subject again, I do hope you can decide in some way of honoring the man whose name this Town carries.
I remain, as always, in awe of all the time and energy you all spend on behalf of the good of this Town.
Respectfully,
Iren Aslanian Jenny
Sent from my iPhone
From: John Boop
Sent: Monday, January 6, 2025 4:59 PM
To: Margie Mohler <[email protected]>; Robin McKee-Cant Cc: Iren Jenny
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda Item- George Yount Statue
With the understanding that a George Yount statue or memoriam is an agenda item for Tuesday’s Council meeting, I wanted to offer my unsolicited input for consideration.
Though my wife, Sherry, and I have been residents for only eight years, we feel passionately about Yountville. The initial recommendation to not include Mr. Yount in the original design of the Legacy Project surprised me. It seems to belittle his role in the history of Yountville.
No man, or woman is perfect and I’m sure that he had a few politically incorrect moments or actions. Who doesn’t! Someone important said “He without sin cast the first stone.” THe United States was settled by imperfect men who undoubtedly mistreated the Native Americans and owned slaves. Our Nation’s Capitol is named after such a hero.
Our city includes Washinton and Madison streets, Napa has Lincoln (a pretty decent fellow if there was one), and St. Helena has Adams. You get the point. I lived in Jacksonville, named for an unruly Andrew Jackson.
Measuring these gentlemen, and George Yount against the criteria of 2020s would truly be an uphill struggle. Standards of behavior change. Especially over 180 years.
Another point that I read was that there are too men, or enough men recognized locally. I would prefer to frame it that there aren’t enough women recognized for their contributions to Yountville. Being a “recent” addition I can’t begin to sort through our history, but I would certainly add Sharon and her Yountville Sun near the top of my list.
I would be happy to leave the sorting of names to wiser, more experienced citizens to fill out the list, but to leave George Yount out is unfair, and sexist at least by some criteria.
When we do travel or tell others where we live, they know YOUNTVILLE. Not as a perfect town, formed by and developed by perfect people, but as a town known for quality where they can easily spend $!000 a night to stay, and enjoy great meals and wine.
When people visit and asked why is it named Yountville, there should be a story to tell, not of a perfect man, but a pioneer who made a home, started a business, and lays buried in the cemetery at the North end of town.
Plus, create some printed material on all the wonderful things that the Women at Yountville did. It should be a best seller.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN BOOP