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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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October 2011 |
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Said Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "Currently our park signage uses the city logo. Replacing them with a 'V' brand is a solution looking for a problem. I happen to like our park signs. They're unique and they set off the parks pretty well. That's just my personal opinion." "That's what the park committee is looking for," said Holly. "Some of the park signs are literally falling down and need to be replaced sooner or later. It's a matter of communicating back to the Park and Rec Committee." Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, "I have the same opinion as last time. The 'V' was primarily developed to brand the downtown. What is it that we're trying to accomplish here? It says 'City of Lakes and Parks' on our park signs, and it's one of the things I like about our existing logo." Said Councilmember Crowley, "I think the draft policy is fine as written, but if you'd like to continue with the city logo on the park signs, that's fine, too." Councilmember Tom O'Connor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Roden, to accept the policy as written with the exception of Victoria's park signs, that they will continue to reflect the city logo as currently configured. "I'll support the decision," said Mayor Thun, "but it will not be my decision. I am going to vote no. I think we need to choose. I do not believe the current logo will stand up under court scrutiny in the future." Stated Councilmember Crowley, "If you read the Constitution, it says that regarding the establishment of religion, the government shall make no laws, period. It doesn't say you can't have a logo or can have a logo. It says you shall make no laws. It's not an issue, and we have our attorney's opinion on that." Added Councilmember O'Connor, "There is historical reference here beyond belief. If you can't justify the current logo in Victoria, I don't know where you could justify it. I'd be prepared to fight for it." Mayor Thun addressed City Attorney Mike Norton. "Since you and I talked, Mike, I don't know if you've had time to find any information or not." Stated the city attorney, "The mayor indicated that she and I talked. The issue has come up periodically over the years since 2003 when I first came out here. There are religious symbols that are strictly interpreted under the establishment clause. There are others, or potentially religious symbols, that have been used historically that the courts do not find that the establishment cause prohibits, so I get the message here tonight. I will do some research and bring that back to the council so you can make your decision." Stated Mayor Thun, "I want to make it very clear. I am not saying I don't like the current logo or that I love the 'V.' I have a concern. I think I have a right to express my concern. That's all I'm saying. And I cannot vote for something where I am personally concerned. Mike may or may not come back with information to support what I suspect. It will not matter to me." Said Councilmember Crowley, "The Constitution grants you that right." "I guess I'm confused right now," said Councilmember Roden. "I'm not happy about this ..." "We have a motion on the floor," said Mayor Thun. "I have a right to speak, too," continued Councilmember Roden. "I asked that question when we talked about this the first time, I specifically said to the city attorney, do we have a concern? Is our logo legal? Can we expect a challenge? The city attorney said, no, because of the historical use. Now you're telling me you've changed your mind? Are you changing your legal opinion on that?" Continued Councilmember Roden, "The other question I asked was, did we have any complaints about our logo, from anybody, inside the community or outside the community. And the answer was, no. Please don't tell me, Mr. City Attorney, that you're now changing your legal opinion from then to now." Replied Attorney Norton, "No, I am not changing my legal opinion. Do I have concerns? I do have concerns. The earlier discussion was more general. Quite honestly, I didn't receive any direction, in my view, that I should spend the city's money on researching this issue." He continued, "I believe my answers over the years have been consistent. I have legal concerns. I do not have personal or philosophical concerns. I don't know where our logo falls because I have not done research on it …
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