There's an idea being kicked around in Citrus County that is creating some controversy.
Six war monuments sit in front of the old courthouse in downtown Inverness. There's a plan in the works to move them from the west side of the courthouse to the east side.
Frnak DiGiovanni, the city manager for Inverness, said the thought is to move the monuments so they can get more exposure and so the city can make improvements, including better lighting and landscaping.
Where the monuments currently are located isn't working anymore, DiGiovanni said.
"We have more events," he said. "We have more people and we are noticing the monuments are becoming obstacles for children. They are becoming cup holders for people attending events. We think it would be best to get the monuments out of the way of that conflict and give them the due respect they deserve."
Sophia Diaz-Fonseca is the chairwoman for the county's Historical Resources Advisory Board. She agrees that the monuments should get the respect they deserve, but she's not on board with relocating them. She said improvements should be made to the monuments where they stand now.
"This is the important side — the front side of the courthouse where respect and reverence is given to these monuments," Diaz-Fonseca said.
The historic courthouse and the land it sits on are owned by the county, so the final decision on the location of the monuments will be up to county commissioners.
The Citrus County Commission is expected to discuss the issue at a meeting next month.
It’s unclear how much it would cost to relocate the monuments if the county decides to go that direction.