The town of Herbert has reversed course on a motion earlier this month to remove the pride flag from its Memorial Wall.
Last night a special meeting was held by town council to review the action that passed 3-2 on June 12 put forth by councillor Sharon Nickel.
The vote, the second time around, was 4-1-1 in favour of rescinding the previous motion, writing a public apology, and putting the flag back up.
Nickel brought the motion to council after she said 10 people in the community had reached out requesting the flag that had been flown since 2020 be removed.
Since the vote last Monday, Herbert Mayor Ron Mathies and Herbert CAO Michelle Mackow have fielded what they called many correspondences questioning the town of 770 people's decision to take the symbolic flag down.
Ron MathiesThe two spoke at length about the issue and thought it was best if the matter was revisited quickly.
Council opened last night with a statement from Devin Harlick, who served on Herbert council from 2019-2020, and is gay.
"It means a lot to me just because of the youth, the ones that belong to the LGTBQIA2S+ community and how high the suicide rate is, I don't want that to be the message, that they don't belong here," he said.
Devin HarlickMathies then took over the floor and spoke about the impact the vote last Monday has had on the LGTBQIA2S+ community and the backlash the town has received. He also stated that the motion, which he voted against, seemed narrow-sighted and rushed without due diligence.
The second-term mayor then read a few things submitted to them including a statement he very much agreed with.
"As a council, we're here to recognize diversity, break down barriers, deconstruct biases, foster and promote an inclusive respectful and welcoming municipality for all," he said. "One that is free from all forms of discrimination involving race, religion, gender, physical ableness, and sexual orientation."
Councillors then had a chance to speak on the subject and ask Harlick questions if they had any.
Mathies made note that the flag was included in a grant application to the government to receive funding for the Memorial Wall and was unsure if there would be ramifications if it was removed permanently.
"We have to learn to love them and accept them just as we do with everyone else," Mathies said. "They contribute to our communities.
"I have come from the upbringing that you would love those people. They're equal to us on this earth."
Some of the councillors stayed mum on the topic, however, Councillor Tom Newburgh shared that he had constructed his own research since the last meeting.
"Some (transgender people) are saying I identify as a woman so I can go into the woman's bathroom," he said. "That person could go in there to want to do whatever to other people."
Nickel also shared some brief thoughts on the flag itself.
"I don't understand how a flag makes you feel more comfortable walking down the street," she said. "There is a lot more attached to that flag than just regular gay people."
A motion was then made by councillor Mike Fox that was seconded by Newburgh for Mackow to bring more education on the LGTBQIA2S+ community and the pride flag to a future meeting.
"I don't know why a flag flying would be a problem. It shows support for minority groups," Mackow said. "As the CAO I'm supposed to remain impartial so it's very difficult for me. I will say this, from the conversation that has gone on around that table tonight, we need some education on this topic in this room."
The final motion tabled by Fox was to rescind the previous motion from June 12, writing a public apology, and putting the flag back up.
Nickel was against this, with councillor Tom Newburgh abstaining his vote. While Mathies and councillors Dawn Wanner, Pat Gammel, and Fox were in favour.
Sat, May 18, 1:00 PM
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