Council to once again debate displaying nonstandard, nongovernment symbols on public property

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Come May 6, Town of Strathmore council will debate the merit of municipal flagpoles and public property being allowed to bear standards or symbols of specific interests. 

Coun. Brent Wiley put forward the notice of motion during the April 15 meeting, at which time it was not up for debate, simply to inform council and the public that discussion would be taking place.

“I am going to be contesting that neutrality is the ultimate form of inclusion. Very good and vigorous and mostly healthy discussion has been going on online, which is a sign of a functioning and vibrant democracy, but it demonstrates that there are members of our community that have different beliefs and opinions on all sorts of controversial issues,” he said. “When a municipality publicly displays a political, religious, ideological, or identity symbol, it becomes a statement of the institution itself. It announces that we endorse a particular viewpoint and have chosen a side in a debate. It excludes all our residents that do not share a council’s politics or opinions or ideas.”

He noted a belief that neutrality is inclusive in that every resident should feel welcomed and represented by their own, such that no particular entity or view should be seen with favour.

The idea being such that council should be free to stay out of the most contentious and diverse issues of the day, whatever they happen to be.

The notice of motion specifically denotes the grandfathering in of the rainbow crosswalk, and the legion crosswalk, until such time that maintenance is required, seeing them stripped from the town’s roadways. Wiley declined to comment further on the motion outside of the town council chamber.

The current policy, as it has been implemented, was previously discussed and debated vigorously by the previous council.

As has currently been approved, a rainbow crosswalk has been painted adjacent to the town building, and a crosswalk in the theme of remembrance has been approved for painting adjacent to the Legion building.

Mayor Pat Fule explained the rainbow crosswalk in particular was approved for placement next to the town office such that it would not necessarily be immediately visible to the majority of residents during their daily commutes.

“We were also worried about increased vandalism if it was out on a road, and then possible vandalism spreading out to other buildings and other businesses,” he said. “There was no town money that went to the crosswalk. The paint and supplies to do it were paid for by a group who did the painting and they have been doing the maintenance. There is no cost to taxpayers for the rainbow crosswalk.”

The bylaw explicitly notes only standards of government and municipal partners such as, but not limited to Siksika Nation, will be flown on municipal public property should the bylaw be passed.

Fule added he previously voted in favour of the legion crosswalk, the rainbow crosswalk, and for the Treaty 7 flag to be displayed, being an indicator of where he stands.

Given the contentious nature of the issue, he said he looks forward to council being able to engage in debate and discussion.