Trustee urges Pride proclamation as board finalizes proclamation policy

Trustee Moyer pressed the board to include a Pride proclamation in a new proclamation policy under consideration, arguing the recognition would align with the board's stated goal of a welcoming community.

"For LGBTQ+ residents, that message is that you are seen and you are heard and you belong here," Moyer said during the policy presentation and discussion. Deputy Town Administrator Kelly Hodling had presented the draft policy earlier in the meeting and described the document as a process for submitting, reviewing and issuing proclamations.

Trustee Cannon cautioned that including Pride could be controversial and said the mayor already has authority to issue proclamations, a point he urged the board to consider. Other trustees, including Trexie Blackstone, said recognition through proclamations is about representing Wellington residents rather than partisan politics, and supported adding Pride to the list for future consideration.

The board agreed to place the Pride request on a future agenda item where it will be an action item and include an opportunity for public comment. Hodling said the policy and a sample list of annual proclamations are available in the board packet for review.

The discussion arose during a presentation of the proposed proclamation policy and did not result in any immediate vote to adopt a proclamation; trustees repeatedly noted the policy itself is intended to set process and that any individual proclamation would be considered separately.

The board moved on to other agenda items after agreeing to return the proclamation request as a scheduled action item that will include public input.