On the afternoon of Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Associate Professor of Classics Jackie DiBiasie-Sammons<\/strong> was grading papers in her office across from The Circle<\/strong> on Campus. DiBiasie-Sammons, an internationally celebrated scholar with a professional background in history and museums, has also spent the past six years voluntarily serving on the City\u2019s Historic Properties Commission<\/strong>. Not to be confused with the Historic Preservation Commission<\/strong><\/em>, the HPC is an advisory board of skilled professionals, volunteering their expertise in support of the long-range preservation of Oxford\u2019s Historic Properties, including the LQC Lamar House, Burns Belfry, Cedar Oaks<\/strong>, and Skipwith Cottage<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That was until DiBiasie-Sammons opened an email that afternoon from Hollis Green<\/strong>, the City of Oxford<\/strong>\u2019s Chief Operating Officer, notifying her that the entire Commission had been unceremoniously dismissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As news of the decision spread throughout the community the prevailing sense was one of simple disbelief. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStunned. I was stunned,\u201d DiBiasie-Sammons described. \u201cI thought of each of our commissioners\u2026how deeply they cared for these properties over so many years\u2026and how much they achieved on behalf of the Oxford community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lacking a formal explanation, concerns over the long-term care of the properties, and questions surrounding the decision process and lack of consultation with the long-serving Commissioners soon followed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, Mayor Robyn Tannehill<\/strong> had presided over the Board of Alderman<\/strong>\u2019s unanimous vote to officially disband the Commission a full 35 days before Green\u2019s email to Commissioner Sammons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The substance and timeline surrounding City Staff and Leadership\u2019s internal deliberations to disband the Historic Properties Commission is unclear. On June 1, 2025, DiBiasie-Sammons emailed City Planner, Preservationist, and HPC Chair\/Liaison, Kate Kenwright<\/strong>, to clarify the Board\u2019s monthly meeting schedule. Kenwright replied the following morning, first apologizing for organizational confusion, then informing DiBiasie-Sammons \u201cwe decided to go to an \u2018as needed\u2019 basis for Commission meetings,\u201d citing membership and that \u201cthere haven\u2019t been any significant issues\/changes related to the buildings\u2026\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n DiBiasie-Sammons response was characteristically matter-of-fact, acknowledging \u201cthat makes sense,\u201d while expressing concern that the lack of meetings could be an \u201cindication of a lack of investment by the community in these buildings.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n She requested if the Commission could \u201cmeet at least quarterly?\u201d And followed up on the status of the historic properties map (that DiBiasie-Sammons and the HPC had professionally produced) making its way to the Visit Oxford website; adding \u201chappy to help facilitate in any way I can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n DiBiasie-Sammons never received a reply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When news of the City\u2019s upcoming vote to open bids for the private sale of Cedar Oaks was made public this past Labor Day weekend, she again emailed Kenwright on Sunday, August 31st, asking, \u201cwould now rise to the occasion of an \u2018as needed\u2019 meeting?\u201d DiBiasie-Sammons never received a reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What DiBiasie-Sammons and the other members did not know on August 31st, was by that point, the Historic Properties Commission had been officially disbanded for 26 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The official process of disbanding the Commission transpired over two public meetings this summer: A Recess Meeting of the Mayor and BOA on Friday, July 18, 2025 and the following Regular Meeting of the Mayor and BOA on Tuesday, August 5th. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Included on the agenda for both meetings was the following item: A first, then a second \u201creading of a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 2, Administration of the code of ordinances of the City of Oxford, Mississippi. (Ben Requet).\u201d Ben Requet<\/strong> is the current City Planning Director. Neither of the agenda item headings at both meetings cited the specific Article of Chapter 2 affected by the proposed change, nor included the words \u2018Historic\u2019 or \u2018Properties\u2019 or \u2018Commission.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Folks, stick with me here as we venture through some technical procedures\u2014my best efforts to keep out of the weeds.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The general process for amending an existing City Ordinance follows these requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chapter 2, Administration<\/em> of the City\u2019s Ordinances is very broad\u2014spanning 54 pages outlining eight separate Articles of City Government: from the Mayor and BOA, to the School Board, the Downtown Parking Advisory Commission, to the final article detailing the 2013 formation of the Historic Properties Commission, (Article VIII).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Neither of the agenda item headings at both meetings included \u201cArticle VIII.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with many of the City\u2019s Recess Meetings, video content was not live-streamed or preserved on the City of Oxford\u2019s Youtube Account Page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The agenda for the meeting was emailed to the the City\u2019s subscriber list the previous evening at 5:39 pm. The agenda was not listed on the City\u2019s website. The bulk of the Meeting agenda focussed on budget presentations by 23 separate City Departments; as well as advertising bids for an upcoming PickleBall Project; grant applications; and appointments on two City Boards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The body of the Memo from Requet to the Mayor and Board introducing the proposed changes consisted of 20 words: \u201cThis is a first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 2 Administration to change Article VIII Historic Properties to be Reserved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This memo is not included in the official minutes of this meeting; and the link to the meeting\u2019s agenda attachments redirects to the monthly BOA meeting agenda calendar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n *Note: Requet did supply a copy of this memo upon my request\u2014emailing to me on 9\/15\/25.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n **Update: the agenda for the July 18th Recess meeting was uploaded to the City\u2019s website on 9\/15\/25 and the memo is now included in the agenda packet attachment & minutes<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Item 6.a on this meeting\u2019s agenda did include an attachment to Requet\u2019s memo with the same wording as the first, except noting the second reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the meeting progressed to item 6.a, Mayor Tannehill read the agenda item aloud without referencing Article VIII or the \u201cHistoric Properties Commission.\u201c Director Requet came before the Board podium and stated, \u201cYes Ma\u2019am. It\u2019s just that. We haven\u2019t made any new changes since we previously discussed it. We have not received any comment on the changes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He did not speak any further on this item, nor read from the memo either. The statement lasted 7 seconds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After noting her office had not received any public feedback; then calling for public comment from the audience and receiving none, the Mayor put the question before the Board. Alderman Jason Bailey<\/strong> made a motion to approve the Ordinance change, Alderman Erin Smith<\/strong> seconded, and the Board of Alderman unanimously approved the change. Without any mention of the words \u2018Historic\u2019 or \u2018Properties\u2019 or \u2018Commission,\u2019 during the discussion and vote on the agenda item, which lasted, in total,1 minute and 5 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that was just that. The Historic Properties Commission was officially History on August 5, 2025\u2014the members notified on September 9th, via email\u201453 days from the First Reading\u2019s Recess meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After reading the September 9th email, former Commissioner Jackie Dibiasie-Sammons immediately called City COO Hollis Green, describing the phone call as \u201cproductive.\u201d DiBiasie-Sammons then composed a three page email to the Mayor and Board outlining her significant concerns and specific questions. She sent the email at 6pm on September 9th and has yet to receive a single reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Included in key concerns, she fears that, following the City\u2019s decision to open Cedar Oaks to bids by private individuals, that \u201cthe city risks losing irreplaceable pieces of its public heritage without plans to preserve or activate remaining properties.\u201d And proceeds to ask \u201cWhy was this one (Commission) dissolved without consultation? What are the long-term plans for the Burns Belfry and the Lamar House? Will the City establish another citizen body to advise on these buildings?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n DiBiasie-Sammons goes on to lament \u201cThere are very few amenities for children in Oxford\u2026Cedar Oaks could have been reimagined as a museum of Oxford and Lafayette County history, a cultural venue, or a community gathering space\u2026it will almost certainly not return to public use.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n DiBiasie-Sammons acknowledges any perceived shortcomings of the Guild and the former Commission, noting \u201cexpanding membership (of the latter) could have reinvigorated it.\u201d When asked why the Commission was disbanded, DiBiasie-Sammons recalls Mr. Green stating that the Commission was seen as an advisory body. In her view, its advisory nature was its strength \u201d While also criticizing the City\u2019s lack of support and leadership. \u201cI agree that Cedar Oaks should serve the public benefit, I therefore ask: why has the city not promoted Cedar Oaks for tourism or rental in the past years (of my tenure)? A search of \u201cCedar Oaks\u201d on Visit Oxford and OxfordMS.net<\/a> (or Lamar house and Burns Belfry, for that matter) yields zero results. To my knowledge, Cedar Oaks has never appeared on any city social media\u2026How can the public be expected to rent or visit\u2026when that information never appears?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robert Saarnio<\/strong>, former University Museum<\/strong> Director and former Historic Properties Commissioner, is grateful to have had the opportunity to serve. With 35 years experience in historic preservation across 5 cities, Saarnio leaves the HPC \u201cdeeply honored for the privilege to serve.\u201d Adding he believes historic properties require \u201cspecialized, skilled attention.\u201d Any disappointment stems from \u201cno longer having the ability to serve\u2026the guidance I tried to provide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n DiBiasie-Sammons sums up the importance of the work\u2014confidently sharing \u201cas someone who has dedicated my life to studying the past, I believe we as a society must treasure our monuments and use them to tell stories about who has come before us, who we are today, and who we aspire to be. I believe deeply in the transformative power of museums and historic sites to shape worldviews and spark new understanding\u2026the properties held by the City of Oxford are the last public, city-owned monuments we have. They carry enormous potential, far greater than their current use, to serve as spaces of memory, education, and community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to all the members of the Historic Properties Commission. It\u2019s rare to see such concentrated talent come together and offer one concentrated voice of guidance to our City Leaders. It\u2019s even more rare to find such long-serving volunteers as these who have all given at least 6 years (and more) for our benefit. Hats off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To Jackie DiBiasie-Sammons, who in addition to instructing, also holds a PhD in Classics, is the current Senior Faculty Fellow of the Luckyday Residential College<\/strong>, and the 2024-25 recipient of the Humanities Teacher of the Year Award given by the University of Mississippi<\/strong> School of Liberal Arts<\/strong> and the Mississippi Humanities Council<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you to Robert Saarnio, who is not only an ace in his field\u2014he is a diplomat\u2014improving Oxford\u2019s character as well over the past 13 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Barbara Purdon,<\/strong> the HPC\u2019s Cedar Oaks representative for so many years, thank you and good luck in your continued efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cynthia Parham<\/strong>, who I\u2019ve known since my old Gin <\/strong>days and plate lunches. Her passion and skill are admirable and I\u2019m just very fond of her too. Thank you for all you do and for representing the Burns Belfry so faithfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And to Jim Pryor<\/strong>, the \u201cGrandfather of the HPC.\u201d Pryor was the first Commission Chair and his prints remain all over our town. Thank you sir. Your work will live on regardless of any temporary setback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the spirit of acknowledging past resident-servants of our community, we cannot forget all those who came before us; giving their time, talents, and energy to ensure Oxford\u2019s history is preserved in these buildings. We must not dishonor their memory and the hard work that got us to the town and landscape we all share today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And we must not be short-sighted today by viewing these properties through one major lens in a snapshot in time. What we do with these properties in our time will be our legacy. Did we respect what\u2019s been cared for and handed down for us to shepherd and pass along to the next generation? Or will we be known for orchestrating their public closing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, the process in which we make these decisions must be improved. If failing to inform the commission before, during, and (waiting until one month) after the process is the result of error or omission, then we must evaluate what needs to change and do better. Our local volunteers deserved better treatment and our residents do as well. We do not want our best to see this and decline serving in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If there was any intentional motive behind the scenes by our Public Officials or City Staff to obscure actions, then we must confront that. And that must change\u2014that pendulum must swing back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Historic Properties Commission may not be the most important to one of us, but tomorrow it could be. And it\u2019s fundamental to know we exist in a culture of mutual trust and transparency. With intention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you wish to support the Cedar Oaks Guild as they navigate the future, checks may be mailed to P.O. Box 351, Oxford, MS 38655; or you may donate online here: https:\/\/givebutter.com\/supportcedaroaks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n by Drew Stevens \u2018Don\u2019t Think Twice, It\u2019s Alright\u201d On the afternoon of Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Associate Professor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":124495,"featured_media":151963,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[314,19],"tags":[32618,22935,1450,6994,24391,20566,32615,4379,32619,31924,15600,4818,32611,32610,32614,31274,146,32620,32616,32612,19699,5,4812,4,15101,1448,32617,32613,16753,4817,3653,655],"class_list":["post-151898","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-history","category-local-news","tag-barbara-purdon","tag-ben-requet","tag-board-of-alderman","tag-burns-belfry","tag-cedar-oaks","tag-cedar-oaks-guild","tag-chief-operating-officer","tag-city-of-oxford","tag-cynthia-parham","tag-drew-stevens","tag-erin-smith","tag-gin","tag-historic-preservation-commission","tag-historic-properties-commission","tag-hollis-green","tag-jackie-dibiasie-sammons","tag-jason-bailey","tag-jim-pryor","tag-kate-kenwright","tag-lqc-lamar-house","tag-luckyday-residential-college","tag-mississippi","tag-mississippi-humanities-council","tag-oxford","tag-robert-saarnio","tag-robyn-tannehill","tag-school-of-liberal-arts","tag-skipwith-cottage-2","tag-the-circle-2","tag-the-gin","tag-university-museum","tag-university-of-mississippi"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250917_153851-750.jpg?fit=750%2C355&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151898","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/124495"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151898"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151898\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":151974,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151898\/revisions\/151974"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/151963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151898"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151898"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151898"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"September](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2025-09-09-HollisGreen-Email.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cThought and Discussions\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u201cLast Call\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
What is Chapter 2?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First Reading\u2014July 18, 2025, 8 am, Mayor and BOA Recess Meeting, City Hall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Second Reading\u2014August 5, 2025, 5 pm, Mayor & BOA Regular Meeting, City Hall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Slip Slidin\u2019 Away<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>From my perspective there are some key considerations as residents we must address going forward:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/a>See Also:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCEDAR OAKS: Public or Private and \u2018Exhibit B\u2019\u201d<\/a> by Drew Stevens, September 1, 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cState of Mississippi Rejects Resolution Passed by the City of Oxford to Allow Sale of Antebellum Home Cedar Oaks\u201d<\/a> by Newt Rayburn, February 22, 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCity of Oxford to Consider Resolution to Sell Historic Antebellum Home Cedar Oaks\u201d<\/a> by Joe Atkins, February 19, 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Photo of the Week: \u201cCedar Oaks\u201d<\/a> by John Cofield, February 22, 2023<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"