Although the clash between those who want to preserve the history and heritage of the Civil War didn’t begin with a protest in Charlottesville, Virginia that ended in violence, it came to a head recently with many municipalities debating whether to remove symbols of the Confederacy. In Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, a statue was defaced during a demonstration supporting a woman killed during the Charlottesville protest.
Throughout the metro area, residents have called for statues honoring Confederate heroes removed from government property. They also want to see streets and public buildings honoring Confederate leaders renamed. Similar cries to remove the carvings Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson from the face of Stone Mountain have regained momentum. And although the city of Decatur doesn’t have the authority to remove a statue at Decatur Square, a petition is being circulated to have city officials remove the “Lost Cause” monument.
When Georgia took the Confederate battle symbol off the state flag in 2001, part of the compromise lawmakers struck was a new state law that protected Confederate memorials and monuments from being removed, relocated or even altered.
And those who want to honor their ancestors who fought for a way of life they believed in say history can’t be changed. Many of the most noted segregationists and slave-owners were, in fact, national, state and local government leaders.
Tell us what you think. Should the statues be taken down and streets and buildings be renamed? Should everything stay as it is? Or is there a middle ground?
Send comments to communitynews@ajc.com. Responses may be edited for length and/or clarity and may be published in print and/or online.
AT ISSUE: SHOULD COBB SHUT DOWN DOG BREEDER WHO’S VIOLATING ZONING LAWS?
Lydia Moll says she’s bred dogs and cats in Cherokee County since 1968 and didn’t know until recently when county officials came calling about the 1969 zoning law that prohibits kennels where she lives. She tried to get grandfathered in, but couldn’t produce proof her business predated the zoning law. The Cherokee Board of Commissioners decided on Aug. 15 that the kennel must close.
Here’s what some readers had to say.
By all accounts, Lydia Moll's facility is reputable and well-run. Her ownership of the property unquestionably predates zoning regulations. She should be given the benefit of the doubt and granted a variance or non-conforming use exception. The fact that she has no documentation of operating her kennel in 1968 should not be the determinant. What business has documentation from almost 50 years ago? Take her word for it. — J.R. Bonds
In response to the article on Lydia Moll getting preferential treatment for not registering her kennel in Cherokee County, I say no, she should not. No one in business since 1968 would be this uninformed. I am a Georgia state-licensed rescue, and we are inspected on a regular basis. The idea that someone could go this long and say they do not know (about inspections) is ridiculous. … Also, dogs and cats living out their lives in a cage and bred over and over is horrific. I frankly hope she is closed down. This is not the way to run a business and no way to treat animals. — Carole Rushing, Doberman Rescue of Rockdale
Give Lydia a break! She is one of the best dog breeders in Georgia, and what the county has put her through is so unfair. Trying to take away her only source of supplemental income as a retired, single woman, when she has done everything by the rules, is a travesty. The county needs to do the right thing and let her continue with her life as she has for the last three decades. — Wanda Dixon
Cherokee County officials have applied a 2015 definition for kennels to their 1969 zoning ordinance to justify their rejection of a kennel business license. In April 2016, Ms. Moll was issued a Georgia Department of Agriculture license. Give her a break! — J. Hobbs
Give her a break. She should be grandfathered in. She has been doing this for a very long time, before anything else was there. She takes very good care of the animals. — Cathy Tucker
Perhaps the efforts to close Ms. Moll's business should be directed to the illegal and horrible puppy mills and unlicensed breeders who do not even attempt to care for the puppies or parents, who allow them to live in filth and horrible conditions. Ms. Moll is an upstanding, legitimate breeder who takes exceptional care of her puppies and pet parents. — Laurue Roberts
I am personally very familiar with Lydia Moll as we purchased a Maltese pup from her. We researched carefully to make sure that we found a loving, compassionate breeder who put the health and safety of her animals above all else. We found that and more in Lydia. Her knowledge of animals is exemplary. We visited her home and her pups and were so delighted to find someone who cares so deeply for her animals. … We intend to get another Maltese from Lydia; there is no one else who can begin to compare to her. Please give Lydia a break and do whatever is necessary to allow her to keep her finding forever homes for her beautiful animals. — Pam Leturmy
I read the story of Lydia Moll breeding dogs without a license since 1968, and I am so disgusted to think of what she has gotten away with all these years and, even more, the poor animals that have suffered due to her greed. There is no such thing as a "responsible backyard breeder." I have volunteered at county animal control and rescue organizations, and there is no shortage of any dog breed, including small breeds such as Yorkies, Maltese and Shihtzu-type dogs. In fact, they are a dime a dozen, and they come in to animal control in some of the more horrific conditions imaginable. Many come with infected eyes, severely matted fur, skin infections, rotten teeth and so on. They're simply thrown out like trash when they are no longer to able to produce or are not born "perfect" (in the breeder's eyes). And has she been paying taxes on the money she has made since 1968? … No, she should not get a break. The law should prevail. — Mona Stephens
Cherokee County should grandfather in Lydia Moll's business. My mother had one of her animals in 1969 and 1970; mom has since passed away, so there is no way for me to prove it. Ms. Moll has a good reputation and keeps her animals clean and healthy, which is more than a lot of county-owned animal shelters. Most people who are 71 cannot even produce records of their own birth, let alone when they started a business. Ms. Moll bought the property a year or more before the new zoning was made, and whatever the zoning was at the time of purchase should be in effect until she sells the land. I am personally tired of county commissioners setting new rules about property and assuming everyone has the time to read them all. For God's sake, if you take her dogs and cats — which she obviously lives for and takes pride in — you will strip her of her pride and livelihood and possibly her life. — Mickie Babcock
This is just awful and so unfair to a woman who strives half a century to provide the very best in protecting and providing wonderful breeds for the love and well-being of those who need them. Please reconsider this individual case and allow her to be grandfathered in. … It is obvious she has caused no harm to the community as no one even knew she was there for 50 years, and in fact has brought much joy and benefit to many over the years through kind and knowledgeable service to man and animal. As a leader for many years, I have had to adopt rules and guidelines for setting up institutions. I have always held that rules are made explicitly to help and serve us, not for us serve the rules. We must use our wisdom to judge how to rule in circumstances that fall outside the usual parameters. — Chaplain Mellie Villarreal
Please give Lydia Moll a break! My wife and I purchased our Maltese puppy from her in May, 2015. We were most impressed with the living conditions in which her puppies are raised. Her home is clean, and the dogs and puppies are considered to be family. The dogs were friendly and well-behaved. It was obvious that Lydia loves her dogs, and her years of experience with them were very evident. The neighborhood in which Lydia lives is residential, but since her dogs are kept inside, the outside is as quiet as any other neighborhood. Our puppy is now two years old. She is happy, healthy, well behaved and very loving. We believe this is a true testament to Lydia's experience, love and dedication to her dogs and the environment in which they are living. — Tim and Tonya Vossler
I purchased a puppy from Lydia Moll last year. Doing business with her was like doing business with a good friend. Lydia was patient, professional and kind and always took the time to answer all my questions. But what was even more special was the puppy I purchased from her. My Maltese is simply incredible. She is healthy, happy, so lovable, friendly (instantly loves everyone she meets) and super smart! It was obvious she was raised in a very loving home and was cared for when she was first born. Please give Lydia a break and allow her to keep her business. The puppy that she breed has brought me and family so much comfort and joy. — Maria D'Andretta
I have purchased a dog on two separate occasions, in 1978 and in 2013, from Lydia Moll at her residence in Woodstock. Both times the dogs were happy, healthy and smart and had a terrific temperament. Our first puppy lived to 15 years with no illnesses and provided my wife and me with much joy and very happy memories. Our current Maltese from Lydia is 3.5 years old and is also healthy and happy; I could not imagine life without her. Each time we visited Lydia in search of a puppy, we found her to be totally attuned to the dogs' needs and happiness and always proud to show them off to prospective "parents." She was always adamant that her puppies go to a good home and checked on us occasionally to see that all was OK. … As a retired controller of a $500 million public company, I know that new and changing regulations can be financially devastating to a small business. In many cases, existing businesses are grandfathered from new regulations due to their financial effect. It is my hope such will be the outcome in this case, in order that Lydia may continue to breed her wonderful puppies, which bring such happiness to their owners. — Bernie Rosner
I've heard that because of re-zoning Lydia Moll might lose her right to breed the most beautiful sweet and wonderful puppies. She's been doing this for many years and is hurting no one. In fact, these puppies are very special and bring joy to many people. Please consider giving her a break; my heart aches for her in this predicament. — Pat Oliveri
David Ibata for the AJC
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