03/19/2022
CITY OF STEINBACH COUNCIL DENIES REQUEST TO FLY UKRAINIAN FLAG.
Dear Ukrainian and Canadian Friends! My name is Neonila Feshchenko. I am an office manager of " Choice Dental Care " in Steinbach, Manitoba. My husband Dr. Roman Drouchkevitch and I submitted a petition to raise a Ukrainian flag in the City Hall of Steinbach or some place on the premises owned by the City of Steinbach on behalf of people who support such a notion.
After meeting with Mayor Mr. Earl Funk on March 7th we sent an email to the Mayor and Councillors: " ... If the City of Steinbach does not have another flag pole, it could be a small flagpole standing on the floor in the City Hall. We will be happy to provide a Ukrainian flag. There are also options to be considered: small Ukrainian flags can be shown on the counter-top of reception or we can help to hang the Ukrainian flag in some place inside the City Hall office or in other places in Steinbach, like the Hwy 12 entrance to the city or different places that may be suitable".
We collected signatures of people and presented this petition to the Mayor of Steinbach Mr. Earl Funk and Councillors.
On March 15th at 7:30 pm there was a regular meeting of Council where our petition was looked at. The link to the recording of this meeting is attached or it can be found on the official City of Steinbach website. It is not yet available on City of Steinbach's page. Please go to minute 42.05 when this petition is being discussed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoDKa1Nig54
Unfortunately the City of Steinbach is not comfortable with raising the Ukrainian flag in support of Ukraine and Steinbach's sister city Zaporizhzhia who is fighting for freedom, democracy and liberty for 24 days and counting.
The Mayor responded to our request by reiterating his position: " Two weeks ago we did make a motion to show our support for Ukraine". Yet when the Ukrainian community of Steinbach made a request to display the Ukrainian flag supporting the Ukrainians in a tangible way City Council's support faltered. Mayor Earl Funk argued while the rest of Steinbach City Council sat in silence; "I see the desire to have the Ukrainian flag flying but we are Canadians, this is our Canadian Flag" "Flag or no flag, that's what I want to do..." Please watch Mr. Earl Funk's explanation in full so these quotes do not appear to be taken out of context.
It is confusing to me and many other people why raising a flag and other kinds of support to Ukraine have to be mutually exclusive. And please forgive me for my inexperience in City Hall proceedings but aren't Councillors supposed to vote if they want to pass a resolution to raise a Ukrainian flag or not? Please help me understand.
Many cities in Canada with large Mennonite communities (Winkler and Morden come to mind) raised Ukrainian flags two and even three weeks ago. But Steinbach - nope, it is a no go. I appreciate the fact that the City of Steinbach wants to help Ukraine in many ways but I fail to understand what Councillors fear so much that they would not raise the Ukrainian flag to say: "Yes we stand with you, Ukraine".
I am disappointed and dismayed by the City of Steinbach Councillors' decision not to raise the Ukrainian flag anywhere in the city. This decision hurt our already wounded hearts. I can only hope that one day The Councillors of the City of Steinbach are going to change their minds and raise the Ukrainian flag just like many other cities, provinces and countries have done around the world.
If you have any questions or want to make a comment on this issue please contact the Mayor of Steinbach Mr. Earl Funk's office.
Slava Ukraini.
Glory to Ukraine.
With hope and God in our hearts.
1. Call to Order2. Opening - Councillor Bill Hiebert3. Adopt Agenda4. Minutes of March 1, 2022 Regular Council Meeting5. Business arising from Minutes6. Publ...
