With five weeks yet to go before artist Bubba Sorenson turns a very large rock into Greene County’s Freedom Rock, the rock has already been vandalized.
Vandalism to the rock was reported to the Jefferson police department by Gary Schiltz, superintendent of the Greene County Fairgrounds. Schiltz arrived at the fairgrounds Sunday morning, Sept. 11, to find the rock emblazoned with a Bible verse – Matthew 5:9 – from The Beatitudes.
The painting appeared to have been done with a brush. The paint was still tacky, and Schiltz and county secondary roads employee Tanner Stauffer were able to pressure wash the rock and remove the paint. A police report was filed and an investigation has been initiated.
The Freedom Rock committee will meet soon to address security at the rock.
