By Lyonel Doherty
Town council is considering taking $1,000 out of the grant-in-aid budget to help fund banners for high school graduates this year.
But not everyone is convinced this is financially prudent.
Councillor Dave Mattes said this would set a precedent for the Town and therefore cautioned council that this could be an annual budget request.
But his fellow councillors didn’t agree.
Councillor Petra Veintimilla said the idea is to erect banners around town honouring grads by displaying their photographs.
She said this has been a “crazy year” for the grads who likely won’t have their traditional ceremonies in June.
Veintimilla said the idea has received great feedback and support from the community. She noted the banners will be double-sided featuring two students; there are approximately 94 grads this year.
Veintimilla said the cost would be approximately $60 per student.
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said he would support the Town contributing something over and above merely installing the banners. So, he made the motion that council throw in $1,000, if needed, for the project. He noted he would hate to see it fail because someone came up short by $600 or $700.
But Mattes said this was premature, adding that council should wait until the May 6 grad committee meeting before committing any money.
Mattes said the Town has a policy in place for grants in aid that require applications. He previously stated that he supports the banner project but doesn’t want to pay for it beyond the installation.
Mattes fears that this will become an ongoing request every year
But Councillor Aimee Grice said this would not be a precedent since these are special circumstances due to the pandemic.
Veintimilla agreed.
Mayor Martin Johansen said hopefully grad ceremonies will resume at its normal venue next year.
Town staff is slated to come back to council with more information on May 11.
