During Tuesday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Councillor Dave Bird presented council with a suggestion that Perth adopt a community flag pole. This community flag pole would serve the purpose of flying the town’s flag, and could also be used for the flags of various community interest groups. 

Councillor Judy Brown approved. “This sounds like a good idea to me; a good approach for recognizing other interest groups.”

Mayor Fenik was also in support of this idea, and inquired about the location of the proposed flagpole. “Are you talking about an additional flagpole on the roof of this building?”

“No,” Councillor Bird replied, and suggested that town staff could look at some other place to place flagpoles.

“That makes more sense to me,” agreed Mayor Fenik, who pointed out that changing flags atop the town hall roof is dangerous work. 

Councillor Leona Cameron agreed as well. “The national flag stays, the town flag can change for other occasions, [and] can be used to honour other things and groups.”

“I don’t think we should ever be removing our national flag from the town hall building.  I’m in support of this,” added Brock McPherson.

Councillor Brown moved that recommendations be referred for a staff report as to how council might operationalize this.

Article by Janelle Labelle