To proclaim or not to proclaim – that is the question Oliver council is struggling with once again.
Councillor Dave Mattes brought up the issue at a recent meeting, suggesting the Town’s no-proclamation policy be revisited. He noted that several people have commented that it’s “too bad” council does not make proclamations anymore. For example, it had a recent request to recognize the “day of the honeybee,” but no action was taken.
Mattes said council members are the “cheerleaders” of the community and should support activities and events that benefit Oliver.
He noted the City of Kelowna proclaimed April as “daffodil month,” but Oliver can’t do that because of its policy.
“If we don’t have the nerve to stand up and say where we stand, we don’t stand for anything,” Mattes said.
But Councillor Jack Bennest questioned whether it’s the Town’s job to make proclamations. Isn’t that what a town crier does? he asked.
“Having no proclamations has worked exceedingly well (for the Town),” he said, noting this does not rank high on council’s priority list.
Councillor Linda Larson agreed.
“We are the biggest cheerleaders in the community . . but I don’t think it (proclamations) needs to be the rule of council anymore.”
Larson said council gives individuals and groups the microphone at regular (televised) meetings, so they don’t have to proclaim anything.
Larson was the mayor of Oliver in 1998 when she refused to proclaim “Lesbian and Gay Pride Week.” This prompted the gay pride committee to file a BC human rights complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
After considerable debate, council adopted a policy that put an end to proclamations. In the end, the complainants dropped the case against the Town.
Mayor Ron Hovanes said the Town welcomes all groups to the table, adding he has no problem with making proclamations that are applicable to Oliver residents.
Mattes said locally based organizations sometimes ask the Town to proclaim something that’s important to the community. “But we’re limited to doing nothing right now.”
Mattes suggested leaving it up to the mayor’s discretion to recognize certain dates and events.
Corporate Officer Cathy Cowan said the Town of Osoyoos makes proclamations, but they are left up to the mayor, not council.
“It’s a bit of work for staff when a proclamation happens,” Cowan pointed out.
Water councillor Andre Miller opposed changing the old policy. “If you do it again, you’re going to open a can of worms that you wish you never done.”
Larson said the Town can acknowledge a certain week on behalf of a local organization, such as the Rotary Club, but it won’t use the word “proclaim.”
Nobody on council made a resolution to change the current policy, so it remains the same.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
