The Mount Vernon City Council voted unanimously to approve a policy to allow flags to be flown on city property in support of a range of different organizations over the calendar year.
The effort started with a request from a citizen about possibly flying the Pride flag during the month of June as an outward sign of support for LGQBTIA+ individuals, and was expanded by the city’s lawyer to allow for other groups to be represented on the pole, 11 in total. Those months to be honored include Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Arab American Heritage Month, Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, Pride Month, Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Native American Heritage Month, and National Veterans and Military Families months.
The resolution allows for other flags to be considered if the mayor, council or city administrator deems them appropriate and amends the resolution.
The council chambers were standing room only, with more than 50 citizens in attendance of the meeting.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said it was his recommendation not to pass this legislation, citing logistics and legal concerns for a display, as all but one city owned building has more than one flagpole.
“When flags are flown at half mast below the state and American flag at some of the other city buildings, they would be close to the ground and subject to vandalism,” Nosbisch wrote in his report. “While there are eleven special occasions, commemorations or ceremonial flags to be flown, there is also no guidance for when two or more of these occasions fall within the same month.”
Nosbisch noted that while his recommendation was against passing the resolution, the council are the ones who could approve any legislation.
Council member Paul Tuerler said he was voting in favor of the policy. While he understood the logistical aspects the city had to oppose the resolution, he was in favor of it to show the inclusivity of the Mount Vernon community. He said he had learned about items through the last two months’ worth of meetings.
“We are all human beings that deserve respect and understanding,” Tuerler said, “and as a community and long-time member, that is what Mount Vernon stands for. A policy like this allows us to show open arms and open minds. This is honoring our humanity as a community.”
Tuerler recommended possibly using space to the west of city hall where picnic benches and trees currently sit as a location for a new flagpole designated for these special flags, so they would sit lower than the state or American flag, but still have importance. Nosbisch said that option may not be available, due to work on the old fire station that may claim some of that space, but the city could find a viable location for a flag pole for this purpose.
Council member Craig Engel said he evaluates any decision through what he views as his three priorities as council member – identifying that any thing the council passes is in the vision of community, that the decision is a good financial and human decision and that it’s a positive for the community.
“This policy touches on all three, but it definitely hits most at the community culture,” Engel said. “I’m voting yes because this policy as written finds a way to come at the middle option and recognize more than one marginalized group. That was a large concern when we were visiting this policy back in June was that it was for only one group, and the policy moves to allow for more of other groups to be represented. It shows that the City of Mount Vernon recognizes the people who live here.”
Council member Debra Herrmann also said she was voting yes, noting that the groups represented touched on areas that many in the community and their families may be represented in more than one of the symbols to be flown.
“I know what it is like to feel marginalized,” Herrmann said. “I don’t want other people to feel like that. I don’t want to live in a community that makes people feel bad because they are slightly different.”
Herrmann said the symbols reflected are a way for the community to show support and craft what the future looks like, and provide context to where people have been.
Council member Stephanie West concurred with Herrmann, noting her own family is represented by numerous flags to be flown and feels that will be the same for others in the community.
Council member Scott Rose, who wrote a letter to the editor in the Aug. 3 Sun describing why he was voting yes on the policy, expanded his comments to address some concerns others had broached. He noted that fiduciary responsibility is one of the important factors for him on any decision, but sometimes an issue is bigger than that fiduciary responsibility.
“Supporting marginalized communities and populations takes precedence for me on this,” Rose said.
Citizens comments on policyCouncil comments came after many citizens addressed the council on the issue.
Cindy Roberts, who moved to Mount Vernon two years ago, said what was important to her was how open and welcoming this community has been, especially to her daughters who were Cornell alum.
“The community has a long history of being vibrant and accepting,” Roberts said. “That happens because of the people who live here.”
Tawnua Tenley, teacher at Mount Vernon schools and veteran, said she was happy to see not only the Pride flag as one of the symbols being considered, but also flags representing Juneteenth, veterans and other heritage groups.
“I’m proud to live in a community that embraces inclusion, pride and respect,” Tenley said.
Greg Papin commented his issues with the policy had to do with the potential litigation if it were to be legally challenged, pointing at the former mask mandate the city had tried to pass in October 2020 and the court case that faced.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said at the meeting that had not went to litigation, but Nosbisch found that was not the case after the meeting. A lawsuit was brought against the city by Global Water Services between the second and third readings of that mask ordinance in 2020. When the ordinance was vetoed by mayor Jamie Hampton, the litigation was concluded. Nosbisch said in a follow up clarification that the legal fees the city paid were less than $2,000 for that matter, as city attorney did need to make a filing before the Oct. 26 court deadline to explain the veto that happened Oct. 21.
Julia Andrews said she was in favor of this policy because of the diverse and inclusive nature of the symbols represented, as well as the policy ability to adapt and allow the council, mayor and city administrator to change the flags flown in the future if that’s needed.
“That decision comes to members of the council, mayor and city administrator to determine and pass more resolutions, not to staff, and has clear instructions on how those changes can be enacted,” Andrews said. “It’s a policy that’s inclusive and malleable.”
Jen Stanerson, school librarian at Mount Vernon, noted that one of the books moved from the Mount Vernon Middle School collection mentioned in previous discussion at the meeting was not because of previous comments at the council meeting, but because it wasn’t a book that had been selected for inclusion on those shelves.
“We’re looking at this policy now because it is something we should have done 25 years ago,” Stanerson said about the importance of flying flags that celebrate diversity in the community.
Karla Steffans, a longtime resident of Mount Vernon who is now at Cornell as a social worker, talked about the importance of those symbols to students who are coming to terms with their identity.
“We have students who are deathly afraid to go home to their communities because they have felt so open and accepted to be who they are here,” Steffans said, “students who are in anguish for not feeling like they will be accepted. It is up to us as a community to save lives and acknowledge them and celebrate the diversity in our community, rather than erase it.”
Ron Telecky said his issue is with the racial animosity his own children faced in the community growing up, and he worries this outward show of support doesn’t force some of these youth to deal with those who have issues with them.
“I taught my kids how to deal with the hate that came at them and I didn’t agree with it,” Telecky said.
Council member Rose mentioned as a student who went through school at the same time as Telecky’s children, that what they had witnessed was not correct, but they would have been better having support from the community at large at that time.
August Tweido spoke about what it is like to live as a transgender person in this community, and how important it was for Mount Vernon to continue the support and acceptance that made them feel seen and safe.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Mount Vernon and their support,” Tweido said.
Former Mount Vernon superintendent Jeff Schwiebert said there is something that makes the community of Mount Vernon great and why he was here for more than 28 years, and returned in retirement.
“It’s that embrace of diversity and thought that has always been here,” Schwiebert said. “It influences the way people work with one another in this community.”
Aida Jones thanked the council for not only supporting the Pride flag with this policy, but expanding to more marginalized groups.
“More equality for others does not mean less equality for you,” Jones said.
Quinn Alles, a Mount Vernon alum, said having support like the symbol for the Pride flag in uptown was important to help people be seen.
“It helps people be successful and grow and change, and ensures the diversity and inclusion in this community is seen,” Alles said.
Christian Andrews said he knew this policy might open the city to vandalism, lawsuits or actions of bullies, but if it allows one person who was thinking they no longer want to live to see that support, it is worth it.
Jerry Niederhauser, business owner in Mount Vernon, said he was still in opposition to the spirit behind this bill.
Dr. Daniel Ryland said he does not approve of the homosexual lifestyle, noting it was a sinful behavior, and flying that flag was a promotion of that lifestyle.
“None of the other flags or symbols have a promotion of an ungodly lifestyle,” Ryland said.
Simon Crocker, a Mount Vernon alum and resident, noted that he left the community after graduation like many youth because of the social regressive cultures of small towns.
“This policy before you is a great opportunity to celebrate the diversity of Mount Vernon and help the economic wellbeing of a small town,” Crocker said.