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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 22, 2001 (Special) Special Council Meeting Minutes Monday, October 22, 2001 4:00 p.m. PRESENT: - Mayor Wayne Arthurs COUNCILLORS: M. Brenner M. Holland R. Johnson B. McLean D. Pickles D.Ryan ALSO PRESENT: TJ. Quinn E. Buntsma B. Taylor D. Kearns - Chief Administrative Officer - Director, Operations & Emergency Services - City Clerk - Committee Coordinator Pursuant to Section 3 of By-law Number. 3665/91, as amended, (procedural By-law), this Special Meeting was called based on a petition signed by a majority of the Members of Council. ... A petition concerning the ban on the sale of poppies in the Pickering Public Libraries, by the Pickering Public Library Board, has been received from St. Mary Catholic Secondary School. Comments received by the City of Pickering Customer Care Centre were also submitted for Council's information. Resolution #133/01 Moved by Councillor Brenner Seconded by Councillor Holland That delegations be heard by Council. CARRIED Recorded Vote: Yes: Councillors Brenner, Holland, Johnson, McLean, Pickles, Ryan and Mayor Arthurs en DELEGATIONS 1. Paul White, 507 Cliffview Rd., stated his sorrow over the Library Board's decision to ban the sale of poppies in all City libraries. The poppy is a symbol of life and of those who lost their lives for freedom. He requested that the Library Board rescind their decision. - 2. Doug Dickerson, Bay Ridges, stated that this was a misguided decision and not the intent of the Library Board to shun the veterans. He feels sure the Board will reverse their decision and he urged Council to support the motion. Special Council Meeting Minutes Monday, October 22, 2001 4:00 p.m. 3. A veteran stated that it is very distressing that the Board has turned down allowing the poppy box in their facilities. He advised that all money raised through these boxes goes directly to the veterans and the widows and families of veterans. He said this is a terrible slap in the face and he hopes the motion before Council passes. - 4. Kenneth Allen, WWII Veteran, advised that Legion members do a good job and requested that the veterans be allowed to sell their poppies in the libraries. 5. Heather Allen Robertson, advised that her father is Alex Robertson, a past Councillor in Pickering, who fought in WWII and would be ashamed to hear that the Library Board are refusing the sale of poppies in their facilities. All money raised by the poppy boxes goes directly to the veterans. 6. Lanore MacKenzie, advised that her father, grandfather and their brothers all fought in the wars and the poppy is to remember their sacrifice for freedom. 7. Ted Hnatiuk, 827 Naroch Blvd., stated that Poppy Day is a remembrance and the decision made by the Library Board was not well thought out. He asked the Board to reconsider their decision. 8. Jim Corbett, Legion 606, advised that all funds go directly to the veterans, their families and their widows. This money also provides extras that health care doesn't such as wheelchairs, home renovations, etc. He requested Council's support of the motion before them. 9. Bill Boyes, Canborough Cres., Acting Chair of the Library Board, stated that their decision was not meant to be a slap in the face, but an unemotional decision made on principle. The Board cares very much, remembering is important and poppy sales are important. Another meeting of the Board will be held to further discuss this issue. ..... 10. Doris Spears, Eyer Drive, stated her support of the Library Board's decision, questioning if you allow one group, how do you say no to other groups. 11. Sylvain Trepanier, 1218 Monica Cook Place, Library Board Member, advised that he is not speaking on behalf of the Board. He stated that the decision was shared by some but not by all and that everyone supports the veterans. He advised that those who have spoken this evening should probably have directed their comments to the Library Board. 12. Dan Kelly, Highview Road, stated that Legion Members and Taxpayers deserve to know the date of the Library Board Meeting which will discuss this item further. 13. Gail Wideman, President of Claremont Legion, advised that Claremont has three libraries, does not have canvassers and, therefore, relies on the poppy boxes. 14. Irene Simons, 1530 Pickering Pkwy., stated her concern for future generations advising that this is our history and poppy day must be recognized. 15. Jim Corbett questioned that if the Library Board supports the veterans and poppy sales, why were the Legions not contacted to provide their input. - Special Council Meeting Minutes Monday, October 22, 2001 4:00 p.m. em RESOLUTIONS -- Resolution #134/01 Moved by Councillor Holland Seconded by Councillor Pickles WHEREAS public buildings are symbols of our democracy and our freedom; and WHEREAS public libraries that are open, accessible and not censured owe their existence to veterans and to those who died to preserve our freedom; and WHEREAS in recognition of the debt all public facilities owe and in honour of the supreme sacrifice that so many made so that information could be freely pursued at institutions such as libraries; the Royal Canadian Legion must be allowed to sell poppies from buildings under the jurisdiction of the City of Pickering and its agencies including its public libraries; and WHEREAS thousands of brave souls fought to defend our freedom and made the supreme sacrifice to ensure our peace and liberty; and WHEREAS the sale of poppies remembers and pays tribute to those who died and calls upon us to never forget their sacrifice or the worth of the goals and values for which they fought; and WHEREAS there has never been a greater need to unite in support of those who defend our liberty and to remember the lessons of conflicts past; and .... WHEREAS the Corporation of the City of Pickering, and its Council, have always strongly supported Remembrance Day activities, and WHEREAS the City of Pickering, in all of the facilities it controls, allows the sale of poppies to support veterans, to remember those that have died in war but most importantly to remember that their sacrifice is the reason public facilities exist; and WHEREAS the Pickering Public Library Board, by a recorded vote, made a decision that was contrary to a Notice of Motion by Councillor Holland and will disallow the selling of poppies on Library Board property for this Remembrance Day and all that follow; NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the City of Pickering hereby affirms its tradition of allowing the sale of poppies within its municipal buildings by establishing this as an explicit policy and states its position that all municipal buildings should conform to this policy, including libraries; and THAT the Corporation of the City of Pickering urges the Board to reverse its decision and allow the sale of poppies within the Pickering Public Library system both by veterans and in the form of poppy boxes; and That this motion be circulated to: -- The Royal Canadian Legion, Branches #606 and 483 CARRIED Recorded Vote: Yes: Councillors Brenner, Holland, Johnson, McLean, Pickles, Ryan and Mayor Arthurs Special Council Meeting Minutes Monday, October 22, 2001 4:00 p.m. (III) ADJOURNMENT - The Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Dated ~. 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