After some discussion, Chatham-Kent now has a policy in place to help deal with flag raising requests from local groups and organizations.
The practice of flag raisings became a bone of contention last year when Coun. Rhonda Jubenville introduced a motion that would have permitted only Canadian, provincial and municipal flags to fly in front of the Civic Centre.
Jubenville said at the time her motion was in response to council’s refusal to fly a flag for Life in Motion, the local educational arm of Right to Life.
However, some people, including yours truly, saw the move as a way of preventing local groups such as Pride from flying their flags, which would have been a bitter blow against diversity and acceptance in our community.
While Jubenville’s motion was defeated 12-5, it did inspire a follow-up motion from Coun. Marjorie Crew asking administration to develop a flag-raising policy, which it has now done.
The decision on whether or not a flag request will be approved will be made by the manager of corporate communications, based on the new policy.
An appeal process is in place that would see council........