SUNDRE – The municipality is investigating potential locations to install a flag pole that would be dedicated for requests to fly custom-made banners.
Discussion on the matter came up on June 12 during a regular council meeting following a decision to proclaim June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Seniors Protected and Respected Under Community Engagement (S.P.R.U.C.E.) committee, which operates under the umbrella of Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society, made the proclamation request.
However, council opted against approving the committee’s second request to also fly a custom-made flag in front of the municipal office in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
While there was a consensus to support important initiatives such as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, council was also largely on the same page about the need to accommodate requests to fly custom-made or special banners for occasions not at the town office but rather at another, yet-determined location in the community that would be deemed more suitable.
“I think this is a great proclamation,” said Coun. Jaime Marr. “We have three flags flying currently at our town office, and I think that the flags that we have flying are appropriate. I know that there’s so much discussion going around about flying a different group, committee, community, political…it could run rampant.”
Marr added council has also previously discussed the idea of considering other locations to install a flag pole to accommodate such requests.
“What I’d like to do, is just have council members consider that we have discussed this and there is potentially a future project that we have planned,” she said. “I think that would be the appropriate place for this to go.”
Coun. Todd Dalke elaborated by pointing out council had previously discussed an available flag pole the municipality has stored that could be installed for these kinds of requests.
“Because the municipal flags should be (the country), the province, the town and not changed,” said Dalke.
“I think that it’s super important for the residents of Sundre to know that council is aware of and appreciates and wants to support the many groups that come forward,” Marr added.
“And I think that by raising a flag on the poles that we currently have, could potentially disservice some of these groups,” she said. “I feel like it would be more appropriate to have a flag pole dedicated to some of our community organizations and programs.”
Mayor Richard Warnock said the flag was flown at the town office in the past but he also recognized the prior council discussions regarding what banners should be flown and which should not.
Warnock suggested making a recommendation to administration to include the item on an upcoming agenda as a matter of discussion in the fall once council resumes regular sessions following the summer break.
Dalke asked if there might be a flag pole available in public locations such as the Sundre Arena, but was informed by administration there are none.
After council voted against flying the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day flag at the town office, a follow-up motion directing administration to write a letter to S.P.R.U.C.E. explaining the decision carried unanimously.
