Whitesboro Residents To Decide On Village Logo

WHITESBORO, N.Y. (AP) — A central New York village will let voters decide whether to keep the longtime village seal that has been called offensive to Native Americans.

Whitesboro's seal appears to show a white settler choking an Indian. An online petition over the summer called for the seal to be changed, saying it was disrespectful to Native Americans.

The village website says the emblem dates back to the early 1900s and actually depicts a friendly wrestling match between village founder Hugh White and "an Oneida Indian of rather athletic form." It says White won the match and the good will of the Oneidas.

A vote scheduled for Monday evening at the village office will let residents decide whether to keep the emblem or change it.