The answer to flag-related rules is still blowing in the wind for the city of Oak Harbor.
At the regular meeting Tuesday, members of the city council debated proposed guidelines for displaying flags on city property. A difference of opinion on whether to permit the raising of commemorative flags in the name of “inclusivity” led the council members to postpone a decision.
Communications Officer Magi Aguilar presented a resolution which proposes guidelines to display commemorative flags and allows for the mayor, in agreement with city council, to raise commemorative flags or lower federal and state flags to half-staff.
The resolution is an attempt to ensure the city honors service members promptly while also inspiring inclusivity through the display of commemorative flags, Aguilar said.
A commemorative flag, by definition of the resolution, is one “that identifies with a specific event, cause, theme, nation, or group of people that the city council chooses to honor, recognize or commemorate that is consistent with the city’s policies and priorities.”
Common commemorative flags are the POW/MIA Flag and the Pride flag. The city of Langley, for example, recently held a ceremony to raise a rainbow Pride flag in honor of Pride Month.
Council members showed support for the ability to direct the lowering of the flag in the event of a local tragedy; however, they disagreed on whether to raise commemorative flags, with the exception of all federal and state-mandated flags.
“I am fully in support of granting the mayor the authority to lower the United States flag to half-staff to his or her discretion in response to local tragedies or significant moments of community reflection,” Councilmember Eric Marshall said. “However, I am opposed to expanding the list of flags flown on city property beyond those already federally recognized.”
Marshall asserted that he deeply respects the diversity of the community in Oak Harbor, with people coming from unique backgrounds, identities and beliefs, but holds that city property “should remain a neutral space that does not promote or prioritize any particular group.”
Several other council members seconded that statement, with Councilmember James Marrow asserting that a symbolic display may divide more than unite community members.
However, Mayor Pro Tem Tara Hizon had a different stance, stating that commemorative flags should be encouraged, not prohibited.
“I personally am having a hard time processing how, in the spirit of inclusivity, we’re not going to go out of our way to be inclusive,” Hizon said. “Inclusivity by definition doesn’t exclude anyone … and it is a core value of our community.”
Marshall responded with concern that displaying commemorative flags “creates the opportunity to not be inclusive. Because if we say no to somebody, now we’re no longer being inclusive,” he said.
After consideration, the council decided that the resolution contains two separate issues and therefore requires two separate ordinances. Aguilar will return in July and provide the city with a revised resolution for approval.
