By Jamila Young
Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
WETHERSFIELD, Conn. — The Town Council tabled a discussion to amend the town’s flag policy after residents criticized officials for not flying the “thin blue line” flag following the death of a state police trooper.
After Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was killed by a hit-and-run driver May 30 in Southington, the Town Council in June voted 5 to 3, with one abstention, not to fly the flag, with some Democrats deeming the flag divisive and racist. That decision led to death threats against Town Council members and their families by text and email, Town Manager Frederick Presley said.
The current policy, which was approved in February, requires a 30-day notice, in writing, to fly a commemorative or organizational flag on a town-owned flagpole. The latest amendment would revert the policy to one that the town adopted in December 2022, which only allows for the U.S., Connecticut, town, and POW/MIA flags to be flown.
However, the council voted 6 to 3 on Monday to table a vote on the proposed policy for an indefinite amount of time.
“We need a little more time,” Deputy Mayor Matthew Forrest said after council member Rich Bailey asked why the discussion would be postponed. “When the agenda came out, we heard from a lot of people who expressed some desire to have future conversations, and we’re still discussing it. We just need more time.”
Town Council member Shelley Carbone said she was disappointed that the item was pulled from the agenda, and hopes that needing more time was the real reason the item was tabled.
“We talk about respect and trust, and I really do want to trust that this was because you really do need more time, and you’re really being thoughtful about it, and I look forward to what you guys come up with,” she said.
Although the item was tabled, it did not stop residents from voicing their opinions.
Shannan Roach told the council that the town became a circus following the town’s decision not to fly the “thin blue line” flag, adding that the council should get a better perspective on issues that affect everyone.
He said he talks to his kids all the time about having difficult conversations. “We can’t do that as a community, but we expect our children to do it in schools,” he said.
As for flags and representation in town, Roach said “people want to be heard,” and that the council should hear the residents out.
“We are never going to get anything done in our community when we approach people based on one part of them,” he said. “Talk to people, understand their perspectives, understand where they come from, understand their values.”
Robin Bourassa, who is favor of keeping the flag policy as is, said the public deserves to know why the item was taken off the agenda, and that the decision to do so was “creating an unbelievable ruckus.”
“Clearly this is a hot topic. It wasn’t enough that we ended up on national news, it wasn’t enough that we ended up on local news. It wasn’t enough on social media,” Bourassa said. “I’m hoping you’ll do the right thing going forward, putting it on the agenda.”
Christine Kelly said the policy should be left in charge of a committee and not the Town Council, which should be more concerned with other issues such as taxes, public safety, and roads.
“I just think it was fine the way it was. People can do whatever they want in their houses, allow different groups to have their events at our community center, and embrace everybody and each other,” she said. “I don’t understand why we’re going on and on with this issue, when we have huge things on our plates, and things to accomplish.”
Town Council member Miki Duric said that the council expects to vote on the amended flag policy at its next meeting in early September.
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