10-26-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 12, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 24 Crosby moved, Johnson seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. Walsh moved, Crosby seconded, to terminate the employment of Roger Peitso effective immediately, as the City is looking to outsource more. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS Tiffane Ferrer, 980 Heritage Lane, thanked the Council and the Mayor for supporting the Police Department and said she is saddened and disgusted that some people have chosen to make this political. She stated the Police and Fire Departments that serve this great City are not elected officials, nor are they a political body. She said the Thin Blue Line Flag has been around for over 100 years and should not be called the “Blue Lives Matter” Flag; that is solely used to sway a political agenda. The fact that people are claiming to support the great men and women of the police force but are also asking for that very flag that shows support to be taken down is pure hypocrisy. As a community, they should all be able to come together to support police, fire and first responders without any hidden political agendas. She prays that those opposing the Thin Blue Line Flag never need their services, but if they do, rest assured the very people they are refusing to support will indeed support them. She said today the lunacy needs to end and she is willing – along with other community members present tonight – to buy the City a flagpole so they can properly and proudly display their support for Orono’s first responders. She asked the Council to please not back down to minority naysayers, asking what will they come for next, the American Flag. Finally, Ms. Ferrer said shame on you for all the people who have used this flag to be divisive with their words, such as “racist” or “white supremacy.” Their police officers come in all colors. Claire Berrett, 1085 Brown Road South, shared that the Thin Blue Line Flag and the symbol is the thin line between civil society and chaos, a symbol that has been around for over a centur y and is apolitical in nature and supports Law Enforcement and Peacekeeping Forces. There may be others who try to ascribe meanings to that symbol, however, no civic body or human can prevent other citizens from ascribing different meanings for themselves, but there is no responsibility to accommodate everyone in a City or anywhere. She said if other perspectives demand the absence of a flag that is apolitical, that is a political action in and of itself, which would be electionary. She agrees with Ms. Ferrer when she asked where does this end? Ms. Berrett has heard comments on social media that there are some that think the United States Flag, the beautiful symbol of this country is racist and divisive, so should they take that down? Of course not; Police Officers are of all races and all political persuasions. The Thin Blue Line flag shows support for all of them. Ms. Berrett strongly encourages the City Council to stand their ground and keep it flying. Kendall Qualls, 755 Lilium Trail, Medina, stated he is a candidate running for U.S. Congress in the 3rd District and asked to voice his support not just for the Police Officers but for the civility