Residents urge Saint Joseph boards to focus locally and voice concern about drag event and 'rainbow crosswalk'

During the public-comment portion of the meeting two residents urged the council to ensure local boards and commissions focus on local responsibilities and raised concerns about a recent drag event and a proposed 'rainbow crosswalk.'

David Mason, who identified himself as a pastor and provided a Saint Joseph address, said he previously served on the Human Rights Commission and objected to what he described as the commission taking up items he viewed as outside its core purpose. Mason said he objected to a proposed rainbow crosswalk, arguing it was not within the commission’s responsibilities and that local boards should avoid serving as surrogates for outside political agendas. He said he moved away and was no longer on the commission but that he will "be forever watching" future board appointments. The clerk recorded Mason’s address in the public comment log.

Vern Toby, a long-term resident, said a "drag queen situation" had occurred recently and that he believes children should not be exposed to such events; he urged the community to discuss the incident openly and responsibly. Neither Mason nor Toby requested any specific council action during the meeting, and no council response or follow-up action appears in the meeting record.

Both comments were delivered during the scheduled public-comment period near the end of the meeting.