Clearview council to consider proclamations

Clearview Township council is reconsidering its policy on making declarations and proclamations on behalf of interest groups.

At its meeting Monday, council voted to have all requests placed on the agenda for council approval.

The issue came to light in January when a request from Simcoe Pride to fly the Pride flag at town hall in Stayner from July 31 to August 8 ended up on the agenda.

Council made an exception to the rule the year prior and the rainbow flag was hoisted at town hall for the first time despite a policy passed in 1996 that states, “the township cease to declare special weeks, months and days because the requests became “redundant due to overuse”.

CAO Steve Sage said it also takes up significant staff time to process the requests and organize flag-raisings.

When it came up this year, Councillor Robert Walker voiced opposition to flying the flag again, saying he wouldn’t support it because of his Christian beliefs.

Councillor Thom Paterson then asked for a review of the policy.

During an April 13 discussion, Walker moved that council stick to its policy and fly only three flags at town hall; the federal, provincial and municipal flags.

There was enough council support to overturn the policy.

“It’s a friendly thing to do,” said Councillor Connie Leishman.

Councillor Deborah Bronée suggested that guidelines be developed. It was decided that all requests would go through the mayor’s office and be included on the agenda.