Town of Paradise clarifies position on Cenotaph Flags

The Town of Paradise has been asked to fly the Pride Flag at the Town Hall. The flag poles in front of the Town Hall are actually part of the Town’s Cenotaph, a place built to honour and remember veterans and those who were killed in combat. It is the location for the annual Memorial Day (July 1), Korean War Memorial (last Sunday in July) and Remembrance Day (November 11) ceremonies. 

 

For a Cenotaph, it is the respected practice that only government flags and flags associated with veterans and / or remembrance should be flown there. No other flags are to be flown on the flag poles in such an area, and the Town respects that practice.

 

In the past when the Town has flown non-governmental flags or non-remembrance flags at the Cenotaph, it was actually in contravention of established practice. Once the established practice was known, direction was given to ensure that only government and remembrance flags are flown at those poles around the Cenotaph in front of the Town Hall.

 

The Town is honoured to have a Cenotaph, and respects the dignity and significance of such a location. It is a respected site and the Town works hard to ensure the established practices for a Cenotaph are followed. 

 

There are no other flag poles located at Town buildings, therefore there is no location at this time to fly a non-governmental flag.

 

As an organization, the Town of Paradise is sensitive, supportive, and inclusive to all causes that support the equality rights of all individuals. The Town wanted to acknowledge Pride Week and welcomed suggestions on how do so.  A common suggestion was to paint a picnic table in the colours of the Pride Flag and to place it in a highly visible location. Council accepted the suggestion and a painted picnic table will be placed in Paradise Park. 

 

Council welcomes any group to make representation to request support for an organization, cause or event.