[ISL] "Montague has Pride; council has no shame"

[rfmcdonald]

In response to the decision of Montague's town council to not fly the Pride flag, Eastern Graphic editor Paul MacNeill writes an editorial criticizing the decision. Practical grounds matter, too.

Once again Montague town council is throwing salt in wounds of its own creation. Monday during Committee of the Whole, Councillor Daphne Griffin attempted to have the flag policy reversed. She was supported by Councillor Debbie Johnston.

But their common sense argument was rejected by the remainder of council who stood by a policy dumb in nature and bigoted in public interpretation. The only thing the policy achieves is a few minutes of work for maintenance staff.

To the shame of Montague town council, the Village of Cardigan is showing more leadership. It picked up a flag on Monday night and raised it. It knows that the raising of flags is symbolic of communities that care.

And what taxpayers should care about is the repeated ignorance of this council to see the big picture.

The average age in Montague is 47. It needs to attract new residents to sustain itself. Businesses rely on council to help build the infrastructure necessary to make the community attractive. Part of that ‘infrastructure’ is building the perception that the community is welcoming and inclusive.

Montague town council repeatedly fails this basic requirement of leadership. Be it the Boys and Girls Club fiasco, the decision to abandon and then rejoin regional cooperation discussions, or the Clark’s Building silliness, Montague town council can’t seem to get out of its own way. It’s actions are negatively impacting our ability to attract residents, which will have a direct impact on the viability of local business.