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Residents vote in favor of keeping controversial Whitesboro village seal

Whitesboro Village
The village seal of Whitesboro.

After an informal vote was held in the village of Whitesboro, residents chose to keep their controversial village seal the same. It depicts a scene where the founder of Whitesboro is wrestling an Oneida native to the ground in a friendly competition. Whitesboro Mayor Patrick O’Connor said the issue has been going on for decades and the village wanted to know what residents thought.  

“An overwhelming majority felt that it was a piece of their history and because they knew the history of what it depicted and the fact that there was absolutely no ill intent behind it, I think that’s why they were hesitant to change something,” O’Connor said. “They feel like it’s a part of their history that is changing.”

Results from the vote will be discussed at a village board meeting tonight. The board has the power to update the seal if they choose. Some board members have said they are in favor of the seal remaining the same.

Tom Magnarelli is a reporter covering the central New York and Syracuse area. He joined WRVO as a freelance reporter in 2012 while a student at Syracuse University and was hired full time in 2015. He has reported extensively on politics, education, arts and culture and other issues around central New York.