Drumheller contemplates rule for ‘decorative’ or Pride crosswalks

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Drumheller city council on Monday was set to debate the way forward for the Satisfaction crosswalk in Canada’s dinosaur capital.

Mayor Heather Colberg stated the agenda merchandise — a flag, pole banner and ornamental crosswalk coverage (IS-C-01) — got here up partly as a response to requests from teams that wished particular flags, sidewalks and crosswalks.

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The intent was to be truthful and inclusive, she stated, and a coverage that was in place for everybody.

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“There was no intent to, you understand, take away what’s in place. The way in which it’s worded, I assume you may understand that,” stated Colberg.

The draft doc reads: “Ornamental crosswalk shall not be allowed on public streets or public property,” and, “All crosswalks on public streets and public property shall be parallel white traces or black and white zebra markings, in accordance with the Alberta Freeway Pavement Marking Information, present version.”

Colberg famous that council members get these draft paperwork from administration on the identical time they’re out there to the general public and the media, in order that they haven’t had an opportunity to debate the proposed coverage.

“Council hasn’t even made any enter as to the way it reads, and I can let you know simply by studying it there’s adjustments coming for certain,” she stated. “There’s no intent to hurt or disrespect any group right here.”

Colberg stated any adjustments can be up for dialogue amongst council Monday night.

No selections will likely be made Monday, however enter from council will likely be taken by administration and any adjustments will come again at a later assembly for council to vote on.

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Drumheller has historical past of supporting LGBTQ+ neighborhood: advocate

Drumheller has one Satisfaction crosswalk, close to the city’s municipal constructing, together with just a few Satisfaction-themed dinosaurs all through the neighborhood.

Brett Litwin, former member of the Badlands Satisfaction Affiliation, stated the crosswalk has moved to a couple totally different places since 2018, however they helped fundraise to color it at its present location in 2021 and 2022.

The city paid for the repainting in 2023, based on Litwin. Colberg stated a part of the rationale the city stepped in was resulting from points with the paint. “Even our personal crosswalks, they’ve obtained to be frequently redone,” she stated.

“We’ve most likely been one of the vital forward-thinking communities,” stated Colberg. “We have now flags, we now have the crosswalk, we now have (painted) dinosaurs. We’re so lucky that a lot of our enterprise homeowners come from the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.”

The Badlands Satisfaction Affiliation penned a letter to the city, noting the historical past of help and looking for an evidence for the present proposal.

“Given its direct and centered impression on the present Satisfaction Flag Ornamental Crosswalk, we don’t help this transformation,” the letter learn. “The proposed coverage removes the chance to proceed the Satisfaction Flag crosswalk and impacts the perceived ranges of inclusion and variety in Drumheller.”

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Litwin stated the proposed coverage wouldn’t solely miss the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, but in addition Indigenous teams and any marginalized group desires a crosswalk.

“They’re free to have that simply as a lot as we’re, proper? It’s equality,” Litwin stated.

‘We’re in unusual occasions in Alberta’

The city of Westlock, north of Edmonton, voted in favour of a bylaw that bans Satisfaction flags and rainbow crosswalks in February.

“As unhappy as it’s . . . we’re in unusual occasions in Alberta,” Litwin stated.

“We’re (the LGBTQ+ neighborhood) simply right here eager to exist, you understand. We have now crosswalks and stuff,” they stated.

Litwin stated they’ve additionally had households say they moved to Drumheller having seen the rainbow crosswalk and Satisfaction flags flying throughout Satisfaction month, and that made them really feel welcome.

“Taking that away, it simply appears foolish to me.”

Colberg stated, “We delight ourselves on being very inclusive and pleasant. From the day our council obtained elected again in 2017, our imaginative and prescient has been, and nonetheless is, to be the cleanest, friendliest, most wanted — so we don’t need to hurt that.”

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