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CC 2023-05-23_09f Supplemental 1MEMORANDUM TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: Jessica Matson, Legislative & Information Services Director/City Clerk SUBJECT: Supplemental Information DATE: Agenda Item 9.f – Consideration of Authorizing the Display of the LGTBQ+ Pride Flag During the Month of June 2023 at Heritage Square Park and at City Hall May 23, 2023 Attached is correspondence received for the above referenced item. cc: City Manager Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director City Attorney City Clerk City Website (or public review binder) From:Hilary Norcross To:public comment Subject:Pride flag display in June Date:Thursday, May 18, 2023 4:18:19 PM Dear esteemed members of the AG City Council, I write to you today as a proud resident of Arroyo Grande, eager to express my wholehearted support for the initiative to fly the Pride Flag in our city during the month of June. The significance of the pride flag for the LGBTQ+ community cannot be overstated, as it serves as a powerful symbol of unity, inclusivity, and acceptance. By displaying this flag, we would be sending a resounding message of compassion and understanding that resonates with every member of our diverse community. I sincerely hope that you will join me in recognizing the importance of this action and consider making it a permanent tradition in our city's commemoration of Pride month. Together, we can showcase Arroyo Grande's unwavering commitment to fostering a society that embraces and celebrates the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. Sincerely, Hilary Norcross -- Hilary Norcross From:Catherine Talley To:public comment Subject:NO LGBTQ symbols in our village Date:Saturday, May 20, 2023 10:46:47 PM Hello, My name is Catherine Talley and I am writing to you all on behalf to please not allow any sorts of LGBTQ symbols in our community. We have such a special and unique community and would hate to have these ungodly symbols shown. Please keep this community the way it is. It is so special to us. Thank you for your time and consideration. Kindly, Catherine Talley From:Elliot Talley To:public comment Subject:Pride flag Date:Saturday, May 20, 2023 11:37:50 PM Hi, I would like to share some of my thoughts in regards to the pride flag being flown in the town of Arroyo Grande. I believe the only flags that should be flown is our city flag, state flag and the American flag. These flags are the only flags that represent us all who live in the community. The pride flag supposedly symbolizes equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice. But In fact that’s what the American flag symbolizes and so much more. The LGBT movement has followed down a path that simply cannot be ignored. Not all in the LGBT community are this way, but it seems like it’s been a trend lately. The trend of sexualizing kids at a young age by encouraging them to get brutal sex changes as a minor and performing drag shows around innocent little children. We must protect our children. Once they become adults they can do whatever it is they want to do. Some would questions why mental health is such a huge issue in our country. The attack by the LGBT community in wanting to indoctrinate these little children certainly doesn’t help. We must protect our children especially in this amazing little town. This flag represents so much more. Please do not fly this flag. We should not be flying a flag that is controversial. Much like this one. Thank you, Elliot From:Curtis Henry To:public comment Subject:Don’t fly the Pride Flag Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 6:44:56 AM I am writing as an individual who has lived in Arroyo Grande my entire life, to let you know that I am disappointed that the city is even considering flying a pride flag in public places. This is completely inappropriate and unacceptable. We ask that you do not pass this. Thank you for in advance for reading this and doing what’s best for our community. Sent from my iPhone From:Email Service To:public comment Subject:Pride month Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 3:32:56 PM Board members: In your agenda you are making a declaration for celebrating June as pride month as it is one of the 17 recognized heritage celebrations on our current calendar. I would take great issue with the city council flying a pride flag at any government building or in the downtown village area. There are no flags flown for the other16 heritage celebrations, why should we fly one for this particular month? Regardless of our race, color, creed, or religion we are residents of Arroyo Grande, California, and the United States. This city is made up of Caucasians, Hispanics, Blacks, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, Germans, Italians, Irish, and other races, but what we have in common is that we are all Americans and that is what should be celebrated and recognized. A city government building should only fly the flags of the city, state, and country. Thank you, Jim Owen From:Karen Miller To:public comment Subject:SUPPORT FLYING ONLY OUR USA, CALIFORNIA, AND CITY FLAGS IN ARROYO GRANDE CITY HALL & PARK Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 10:54:37 PM Dear City Council, As citizens living in Arroyo Grande we have a concern along with many others over the proposed Pride Flag to be flown at the city hall and heritage park for the month of June. Doing this shows favoritism and support of this group by the City of Arroyo Grande over many other groups who have flags and beliefs whose flags are not flown. We feel that we should only fly our national, state and city flags and no other which we as Americans should support. Thank you for taking the time to listen to your citizens’ concerns. Blessings, Robert and Karen Miller    From:Anne Harvey To:public comment Subject:Vote Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 11:30:49 AM Good morning, I would like to express my disapproval for flying the pride flag at government buildings. I feel not everyone gets recognized equally and other flags aren’t flown for other groups using tax dollars. I appreciate for your time and service serving our beautiful city of Arroyo Grande. Thank you, Anne Harvey Sent from my iPhone From: To:public comment Subject:re Flying Flags Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 11:31:57 AM To Whom It May Concern, As a resident of Arroyo Grande, I would like to express my disapproval with using taxpayer funds to fly flags for any group. This would include the pride flag. Should the City choose to fly the pride flag, I would like to express my support for flying flags of other groups for awareness, as well, such as flying flags for disability awareness. Thank you for your consideration! Sincerely, Brett Harvey From:Catherine Cage To:public comment Subject:Pride flag objection Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 10:32:47 AM Dear Ciity Council Members, First of all, thank you for representing our local community. This letter is to inform you that I am opposed to the flying of the pride flag. The only two flags that I deem as necessary are the American flag and the California flag. We fly no other flags that are associated with representation of individuals for any other month of the year. This is not a statement of pro-pride or anti-pride. This is a statement from an American and a Californian that is one of your constituents. I salute you with the upmost respect and honor for representing our beautiful community. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this issue. Sincerely, Catherine Cage From:Chris Cara Lacey To:public comment Subject:Pride Flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 10:28:22 AM To whom it may concern: I would like to suggest NOT flying the PRIDE flag during the month of June as it seems it would be in the city’s best interest to stay neutral. The American flag, state and city flag are enough. Does the city fly an Autism awareness flag during its month? Or is the city willing to fly the Christian flag during Christmas and Easter? My guess is no b/c it chooses to stay neutral as none of these actually have anything to do with the city of Arroyo Grande itself. Encourage the community to show their local support at their residences but the city itself doesn’t need to be involved-and this is not b/c YOU DON’T support it, it’s just not your role. Thanks for considering, Sincerely, Cara Lacey Sent from my iPhone From:Camille Nordwall To:public comment Subject:Preferential outreach flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 9:27:45 AM Dear Arroyo Grande Council Representatives, It has come to my attention that you are considering flying a “pride” flag on our City Hall building. How can you show preferential treatment to a group concerning their sexual preferences? Would you fly a heterosexual flag for a month, celebrating another group of people’s sexual preference? As a long standing resident and voter, it offends me and my family to think that our government has anything to do with peoples’ private matters. What happens in private, should stay private. My family and I attend a local church that loves and heavily invests in our amazing Arroyo Grande community. We are greatly offended by this proposal and ask that you do not even entertain flying a “pride” flag on our City Hall building. Please stay with flags that represent our country, our government and our constitution - not particular lifestyles. Thank you, Jan Camille Nordwall From:Connie Rice To:public comment Subject:Please refrain from flying Pride flag in June Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 10:00:35 AM Dear Arroyo Grande City Council members, Please refrain from flying the Pride flag in June. The recent agenda of those who promote "pride" against the health and well-being of children through dangerous life-altering drugs and surgeries is quite controversial. Please do not promote this agenda. Arroyo Grande is a family community that seeks to protect children from ideologies that purposely confuse them when they are too young to understand the consequences. When I was young, all of society worked to protect the innocence of children - all aspects of the culture worked together to keep the seedy aspects of culture from them (TV, movies, schools, government, etc.). Not only is this no longer the case, but all of those things have lined up to do just the opposite and undermine parents in ways never before seen. The attacks on families have been relentless. The results have been so devastating, with children suffering from so much anxiety, fear, confusion, drug use, promiscuity, and self-harm. Obviously, not all of this falls at the feet of the "pride" movement, but the ideology that it is promoting is puts inappropriate sexual discussions in front of children and makes it all but impossible for the innocence of children to be protected until they are old enough to comprehend the issues and consequences of life- altering choices. This is no longer about everyone letting everyone else live as they like without discrimination - this recent ideology puts children at serious risk. Some children go through a stage of wanting to be a mermaid - should their legs be amputated and a prosthetic tail be attached to them in the name of affirming their desire? Male and female is not a social construct - it is a biological fact. People either have chromosomes that are XX or XY. It is impossible for someone to change this, so the concept of changing one's gender is anti- science and defies reality. A number of young people have changed their minds (as they often do about many things) and want to "detransition", but are finding that some of the damage done to them is permanent. Please reconsider promoting this ideology as being representative of the community of Arroyo Grande. Please look into this issue carefully before making a decision. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/924fbee3/PgZVBgc66kuM0hUN4B5WmA? u=https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2016/09/17753/ https://link.edgepilot.com/s/4fdd17aa/vecXc_evQE29cV9vB9LFKg? u=https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/at-worlds-first-gender-detransition-conference-women- express-regret-over-drugs-mutilation/ https://link.edgepilot.com/s/f198cb53/Ylk0Cx9-w0at4pWjBBuswg? u=https://sexchangeregret.com/ Thank you so much for your consideration in this important matter. I recognize that in our present cultural environment, only courageous people will have the fortitude to stand in defense of the innocence of children. Best regards, Constance Rice Links contained in this email have been replaced. If you click on a link in the email above, the link will be analyzed for known threats. If a known threat is found, you will not be able to proceed to the destination. If suspicious content is detected, you will see a warning. From:Diego Peinado To:public comment Subject:Please don’t add the rainbow flag. Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 9:37:42 AM Hello, my name is Diego Peinado. I am a current resident of Santa Maria who regularly interacts and intermingles with the citizens of Arroyo Grande. I have heard tell of the council putting up rainbow flags in place of the American flag. Though the sentiment is heard and is well intentioned, I can’t help but notice that it goes against the rights of other citizens. The American flag stands for freedom and justice for all individuals not just one singular group. The flag is already an icon of equality and integrity for rights of the people and I don’t think the entire city needs to have the symbol of our freedoms as American citizens be reduced to the colors of the rainbow. With all due respect to our brothers and sisters in the lgbtq + community, they can fly their own flags on their residences if they do choose to. To have our flag reduced to what it truly symbolizes is not doing our country nor our city any justice for those affected by the change of the flag. I implore the council to reconsider the motion to putting the rainbow flag up. Sent from my iPhone From:Emmylou Skelly To:public comment Subject:Fwd: The Sin of Pride According to the Bible Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 9:58:40 AM We want gay trans LGBTQ+ to live their lives in peace and happiness. We love everyone and hope they find happiness but we don't want a pride flag because it is a waste of money. There is also biblical context for why not have the flag which was brought to my attention. Here it is. We are a peaceful loving community and have many churches that would consider the flag an impedement on peace and happiness for them. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/efb9b755/wtyj-XLFWk2j7IhweULHrw? u=https://www.learnreligions.com/the-sin-of-pride-according-to-the-bible-5080290 Links contained in this email have been replaced. If you click on a link in the email above, the link will be analyzed for known threats. If a known threat is found, you will not be able to proceed to the destination. If suspicious content is detected, you will see a warning. From:James Folkrod To:public comment Subject:Concerns Regarding the Display of the Pride Flag in June Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 9:30:23 AM Dear Arroyo Grande City Council, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my concerns about the decision to fly the Pride flag during the month of June in our city. While I understand the intention behind showing support and inclusivity towards the LGBTQ+ community, I believe it is important to consider the broader implications and potential consequences of such actions. Firstly, it is crucial to recognize that as a government entity, you represent and serve a diverse population with a wide range of beliefs, opinions, and values. Displaying the Pride flag exclusively may inadvertently alienate or marginalize certain individuals who hold different religious, cultural, or ideological perspectives. A government should strive to be neutral and treat all citizens impartially, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Furthermore, it is important to note that the flag represents a specific social and political movement. While it is true that Pride Month commemorates the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, it is essential to consider that not all residents of our city may agree with or support every aspect of that movement. Government institutions should remain impartial and focus on serving the entire community, rather than promoting specific social or political agendas. Moreover, the decision to fly the Pride flag could set a precedent for other interest groups or communities to request the display of their respective flags or symbols. Granting one group the privilege of displaying their flag may lead to a situation where various organizations demand the same recognition, potentially creating divisions and competing interests within our community. Instead of promoting a specific symbol, I would urge you to consider alternative approaches to foster inclusivity and demonstrate support for all residents. Initiatives such as educational campaigns, workshops, or community events that promote dialogue and understanding among diverse groups would be more inclusive and respectful of different perspectives. I believe that it is important for our city government to maintain neutrality while serving all residents equally. By refraining from flying the Pride flag, you would ensure that the government remains focused on its primary duty of governance and service to the community as a whole, while still recognizing the importance of equality and respect for all individuals. Thank you for taking the time to consider my perspective. I trust that you will give due consideration to the concerns raised herein. Should you wish to discuss this matter further, I would be happy to engage in constructive dialogue. Sincerely, Jim Folkrod From:Jolene Henry To:public comment Subject:pride flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 7:32:51 AM Dear Arroyo Grande City Officials, I am so grateful for all of your hard work in our community. I wanted to express concern regarding the issue of the City Council's consideration to fly the Pride flag for the month of June. It seems very imbalanced to choose just this ONE group over all of the many other groups that could or should have a flag flown to represent them (ie. Asian Americans, American Indians, African Americans, Hispanics, Military Vets, Disabilities, Religious groups and on and on). How can just one group be chosen to have a flag flown without consideration of the rest of the plethora of groups who would also want to see their flag represented? A vote to approve the Pride flag will open up a can of worms to the countless other groups that desire to be honored in this way. Where do you draw the line? Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Jolene Henry Arroyo Grande, CA From: To:public comment Subject:Flags Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 10:53:44 AM Dear City Council, Please always only fly our national, state and city flags. Thank you, Jack & Patti Mallory Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS Links contained in this email have been replaced. If you click on a link in the email above, the link will be analyzed for known threats. If a known threat is found, you will not be able to proceed to the destination. If suspicious content is detected, you will see a warning. From:Jeremy Sutherland To:public comment Subject:Pride Flag for month of June Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 3:08:34 PM Dear Council Members and City Mayor, In your May 23 memorandum the subject has the acronym LGTBQ+ instead of LGBTQ+ (T and B swapped). Was there a reason for this? Page two near the bottom, has the "correct" order although there are newer renditions, such as LGBTQIA2S+. The reason for asking the above question is that "LGB" are sexual orientations. Why is there a need to display an individual's sexual orientation on a public flag in our small conservative city? Secondly, the remaining letters are linked to gender dysphoria or mental disorders. These mental disorders cause huge harm to those who follow through with the "gender affirming care" whether it be through hormone treatments or surgeries. I have read too many heartbreaking stories of people who transitioned as children to only regret the decision later in life (Chloe Cole only being one of the voices). Flying this flag where children will walk by on a daily basis is not healthy for the children of our community. Will the flying of this flag not cause more gender confusion for our children? I strongly urge you to vote no on flying the pride flag on any public building in Arroyo Grande. -- Jeremy Sutherland Associate Pastor of Youth and Families Harvest Church Links contained in this email have been replaced. If you click on a link in the email above, the link will be analyzed for known threats. If a known threat is found, you will not be able to proceed to the destination. If suspicious content is detected, you will see a warning. From:JAYNE TURNER To:public comment Subject:Gay flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 9:57:14 AM My opinion is that only 2 flags should ever be flown, the American flag snd the CA flag. Please stop dividing your constituents!! Thank you Sent from my iPhone From:Ken Enns To:public comment Subject:Pride Flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 11:03:29 AM To Whom it may concern: It is our understanding that the city is considering flying the LGBTQ+ Pride flag during June, honoring the LGBTQ+ community. Obviously, this is a very divisive issue and declares the city’s position to be on one side of this political agenda. We would just ask that the city remain neutral and not create a divisive atmosphere. We don’t believe the city should promote any religious or political agenda in favor of one group over another. Please give this careful consideration before making such an important decision. Thank you, Ken and Jan Enns Sent from my iPhone From:Kurt S To:public comment Subject:Pride flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 1:49:55 PM AG City council, I am writing you today to ask that you refrain from flying the pride flag on any city building. I think it’s the wrong move and I know for sure it doesn’t represent the majority of people living in AG and I know it sends the wrong signal to our youth. Respectfully, Kurt Saltzman. Sent from my iPhone From:Linda Chuises To:public comment Subject:Rainbow Flags Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 2:06:13 PM May 22, 2023 Arroyo Grande City Council: I am writing this to show my objection to “rainbow” flags being hung & displayed in our Village for the month of June. First of all, I’m NOT Homophobic! I have a gay nephew, that I love to death, & friends that are LGBTQ. I’m objecting on two accounts. 1. I don’t think one small group of people should be honored over other larger groups of people. I don’t believe any other individual groups are represented by flags flying in the village, and rightly so. We should not be flying flags or banners for individual groups. Where does it end? According to NBCNews.com on 2/17/22 only 7.1% of the USA population is LGBTQ. While Arroyo Grande is a very inclusive community, we do not need to single out groups to prove that. 2. While you are doing this to show “support” to the LGBTQ community other groups of people are being persecuted for their beliefs and there is no “flag support” for them. Case in point: After a Pro-Life march in Washington DC, several students & their chaperones were ejected from the Smithsonian Museum for wearing Pro-Life hats & t-shirts. At the same time people wearing Pro-Abortion garb were not ejected. Dailycaller.com & Lifenews.com 2/7/23. I think we all could come up with numerous other examples. Please vote no on the “rainbow” flags & keep the flags totally community oriented! Sincerely, Linda Chuises From:Linda Ruberto To:public comment Subject:Pride Flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 8:59:41 AM Dear City Council Members, I’m writing to express my opposition to flying the “pride flag” at City Hall. As an AG business owner and tax payer I find this proposition appalling. I write as a Christian, and as we do not have City recognition as such, I don’t expect the City to cater to this agenda. Our town has many people of faith who while sadly are not expecting our government to recognize God from it’s institutions as a “show of support”, certainly it shouldn’t support a perverse sexual orientation (or anything else of a sexual nature) to be paraded on our public property. Thank you for your consideration. Linda Ruberto From:Maddie Honeycutt To:public comment Subject:Pride flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 3:41:12 PM Hello! My name is Madison Honeycutt and I have lived in Arroyo Grande my whole life (22 years). When I heard about the pride flag being flown in our town I was distraught because although I do not harbor any hate for the LGBT community I see no place for the flag to be flown. Our town does not need to go out of its way to fly a flag of any organization except for our state and country because that is what truly brings us community. Many people like myself disagree with the beliefs and standards of the LGBT community and especially in the light of recent events such as companies and sporting events letting trans individuals dominate over women it is repulsing to think that our town would boldly support that oppression of women. As a woman I am threatened by this community in that way and as said before I have no hate towards them but it is not something I support and even if many members of Arroyo Grande do it is not something that represents our town as a whole especially as stated before in light of recent LGBT events. Thank you for your time and understand a taking the concerns and comments of your town members it does not go unnoticed. Best, Maddie Honeycutt From:Matt List To:public comment Subject:Pride flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 8:56:57 AM As a longtime member of the community, I'm opposed to the pride flag being given any priority. We have so much to be united about and this only causes division. It is not representative of how so many of us want to live and raise our children. Thanks for your consideration on this matter. Matt From:Mike Rozo To:public comment Subject:Ride Flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 12:17:37 PM To whom it may concern, I am Against running the Gay Pride Flag for the month of June. People’s personal feelings does not need to be publicly displayed for all to see. Please do not allow this. Thank you Mike Rozo From:Maggie Summers To:public comment Subject:Pride flag vote Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 2:09:58 PM Dear AG City Council, I am unable to attend tonight’s meeting, but I am writing to ask for you to vote AGAINST flying a pride flag at city hall. The only flags that belong flying on government buildings are the American flag and California star flag! The pride flag represents a lifestyle, NOT our state or federal government. Thank you, Maggie Summers Arroyo Grande From:Nancy Jordan To:public comment Subject:Re: regards flying pride flag month of June Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 1:18:30 PM I'm against flying the pride flag at any Government building for the month of June. I believe this is wrong. The only flags to be flown is our American Flag because we are all Americans and our California Flag because that is our state Flag. On Mon, May 22, 2023, 1:05 PM Nancy Jordan < wrote: Praying City Council have wisdom and not fly the Pride Flag for the month of June. This is totally wrong . I feel proud to fly out American Flag and Flag of California.Our National flag because we are all Americans and California Flag because we live in a great state. From:Nancy Jordan To:public comment Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 1:05:29 PM Praying City Council have wisdom and not fly the Pride Flag for the month of June. This is totally wrong . I feel proud to fly out American Flag and Flag of California.Our National flag because we are all Americans and California Flag because we live in a great state. From:Neal O"Hagan To:public comment Subject:Flying the pride flag (don’t) Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 1:56:23 PM Dear AG city council, Under consideration this week is flying the Gay Pride flag next month. I urge the council to not fly the flag. As the politics of supporting the LGTQ+ community evolves we as citizens find ourselves on a slippery slope when we support flying of the flag. What exactly are we celebrating, not the same things we supported just a few years ago. Now the flag represents celebration of men in women’s sports, men in women’s bathrooms, men scantily clad in female attire reading to young children. When does it stop? When do we recognize that flying the flag does not remind us of the oppression of this community but now represents celebration of just plain immoral behavior? Stand your ground, don’t vote to display this flag and celebrate the moral decline of our community and the sexualization of our kids and grandkids. Thank you Neal O’Hagan Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 Sent from my iPad From:Nancy Puder To:public comment Subject:Flying pride flag - No Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 9:09:28 AM To Whom it may concern… I would like to voice my concern about flying the pride flag as proposed. Unless you are also planning to fly a heterosexual flag for a month also, I would consider this extremely discriminatory and equally offensive. I do not judge what others do or how they live. I simply think this would be a bad decision to fly the pride flag. Respectfully, Nancy Puder From:Pam Richerson To:public comment Subject:Flying the lgbtq flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 1:53:07 PM Dear City Council, I have lived in Arroyo Grande since 1958. My husband and I were raised here as well as our sons and grandchildren. I am not in favor of flying the LGBTQ flag even for one day. We need to teach our children that natural genders and genes matter! As Humans we need to respect ALL People including those people that are believers in the human race. Our children are getting the wrong information about gender! I was born a women, this matters. Flying this flag is offensive. A.G. has never flown the Christian flag so why would this counsel even consider this flag. It is time to respect and honor male and females and all of the amazing attributes God has made. My family votes NO on flying the LGBTQ flag! Mr. and Mrs. Richerson Arroyo Grande Sent from Mail for Windows Links contained in this email have been replaced. If you click on a link in the email above, the link will be analyzed for known threats. If a known threat is found, you will not be able to proceed to the destination. If suspicious content is detected, you will see a warning. From:Patty Ricr To:public comment Subject:LGPQ flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 3:42:23 PM Attachments:SAMPLE LETTERS AGAINST FLYING LGBTQ FLAG.docx Sent from my iPhone SAMPLE LETTERS AGAINST FLYING LGBTQ FLAG Created by Bryon Talley Updated 5-21-23 Dear City Council, I wish to express my concern over the proposed flag to be flown at the city hall and heritage park. I feel that we should only fly our national, state and city flags and no other. Thank you for taking the time to listen to your citizens’ concerns. Sincerely, Dear City Council, Flying the PRIDE flag has the appearance of the city government endorsing a political party. This goes against the city’s flag standards. We should follow the DEIJ rules the city has and be inclusive. Only showing one group’s flag is not inclusive. We should also be equitable. Either we fly everyone’s flag, or no flags. I believe, we should only fly the national, state and city flags. Thank you. From:Ron Dee To:public comment Subject:Pride month Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 2:44:32 PM I would like to communicate my lack of support for promoting or recognizing “Pride Month” in the City of Arroyo Grande. I do not support such things as flying the gay pride flag over city hall. It is however completely appropriate to fly our national flag as well as our state flag but that is it. If the city chooses to recognize and fly the gay pride flag over city hall then it is opening up the door to fly flags of many other various groups or belief systems. Sincerely, Ron Dee From:Sheri Honeycutt To:public comment Subject:LGBTQIA+ flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 2:19:27 PM Dear City Council, I wish to express my concern over the proposed flag to be flown at the city hall and heritage park. I feel that we should only fly our national, state and city flags and no other. These 3 flags represent all members of our community. To do anything else would be causing the division you state you are trying to avoid as many people in our community do not feel the flag represents their beliefs. Thank you for taking the time to listen to your citizens’ concerns. Sincerely, Sheri Honeycutt Sent from my iPhone From:Stephanie List To:public comment Cc:Vonie Chroman Subject:Please do not hang the pride flag over Arroyo Grande Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 11:57:46 AM Good afternoon, Thank you for taking the time to read my public comment. In regard to item 9F on this weeks upcoming meeting. I raise the question as to why we do raise a flag? Why do we lift up the American flag? Why do we raise the California flag? To answer these questions I would say that we are all Americans, so we are united under the American flag. Also, we are all Californians, so we are united under the California flag. This upcoming month is pride month and I know that you are considering waving a pride flag. I would like to know why when it does not unite our entire city? I know the previous months and months to come are as such…Latino month, Native American month, Black History Month, special needs disabilities workers month and many more. Also, there have been numerous other things that we have celebrated each month in our town and yet a flag has not been waived for any of these groups. Why was the flag not waived for the disability workers? My son has a disability and his service providers need to be honored! Why is not a flag waved for Black History Month? My question to you is why should there be special treatment for a certain people group? Why should we raise a pride flag when all of the others people groups listed throughout the entire year do not have a flag raised in their honor? Why is a pride flag going to be raised when it does not unite us all? I am not saying whether I agree with this group or not, but why should this group in particular have a flag raised over our city in two separate locations when it does not unite us all? Please follow the city of Delano, California, where I grew up. They have looked into the definition of why we raise a flag and have removed the pride flag from their city Council building. Lastly, if you are going to raise a pride flag, then I would expect a flag to be raised each month for each people group that is being being celebrated that month. I am also part Native American, why is a flag not being raised for my heritage during that particular month? Please do not raise the pride flag over Arroyo Grande in any location. Thank you, Stephanie Sent from my iPhone From:SHARON MATHEWS To:public comment Subject:Represent all if any Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 9:55:39 AM Hello It’s my understanding you will be meeting to decide if AG should fly the lgbtq etc. flag during the month of June. I would respectfully submit to you that the month we are currently in is Jewish American heritage month. I am proud of my Jewish American heritage but I see no flag flying above the city about it. Why would you support any group (other than possibly fire, police or military..ie public servants) over another? You should not be showing preferential favor or treatment to any group ever. Allowing this to happen would be doing just that. No matter what side of the issues we are on, our representatives should remain neutral. Please do not do this. It is only going to cause more division in our country. Thankyou Sharon Mathews Sent from my iPad From:William Honeycutt To:public comment Subject:LBDGT Flag Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 12:48:10 PM As a 20 year resident of the city, I respectfully request that you DENY the groups request the fly their flag. It does not represent the majority of the values of the people that live in the city. Sincerely, William Honeycutt