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Home My WebLink About2023-07-11; City Council; ; Request to Fly Commemorative FlagsCA Review CKM Meeting Date: July 11, 2023 To: Mayor and City Council From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager Staff Contact: Sheila Cobian, Legislative & Constituent Services Director sheila.cobian@carlsbadca.gov or 442-339-2917 Subject: Request to Fly Commemorative Flags Districts: All Recommended Action Consider a request from Council Member Burkholder to discuss constituent requests to fly commemorative flags. Executive Summary Council Member Burkholder submitted the attached email (Exhibit 1) to the City Manager on June 14, 2023, requesting that the topic of constituent requests to fly the following commemorative flags be placed on an upcoming City Council agenda.1 •Vatican Flag •World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Flag •Divine Mercy of Jesus Flag •National Rifle Association Flag •POW/MIA Flag •Juneteenth Flag •Straight Pride Flag •Christian Flag •Domestic Violence Awareness Flag •Breast Cancer Awareness Flag •Facial Pain Awareness Flag •Marijuana Flag •God Bless America Flag •Confederate Flag •Pakistan Flag •Israel Flag 1 Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 1.20.060(C) states, “Items of business may be placed on the agenda by any member of the council, the city manager or the city attorney, or by council action. Council-originated items must be submitted to the city manager not less than seven days before the date of the council meeting at which the member desires the item to appear on the agenda. Nothing in this section precludes a council member from requesting council action to place an item on the agenda for a future meeting.” July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 1 of 20 Fiscal Analysis No city funding is being requested. Environmental Evaluation This action does not constitute a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under Public Resources Code Section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and therefore does not require environmental review. Exhibits 1.June 14, 2023, request from Council Member Burkholder 2.Flag Images July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 2 of 20 1 Sheila Cobian To:City Clerk Subject:FW: Flag From: Melanie Burkholder <Melanie.Burkholder@carlsbadca.gov> Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 3:21 PM To: Scott Chadwick <Scott.Chadwick@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Flag Good aŌernoon, Consistent with my authority under Carlsbad Municipal Code 1.20.060 (c), I am requesƟng the ﬂying of commemoraƟve ﬂags be placed on a future agenda for City Council’s consideraƟon. Speciﬁcally, these ﬂags have been requested: The VaƟcan Flag, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Flag, Divine Mercy of Jesus Flag, NaƟonal Riﬂe AssociaƟon Flag, POW/MIA Flag, Juneteenth Flag, Straight Pride Flag, ChrisƟan Flag, DomesƟc Violence Awareness Flag, Breast Cancer Awareness Flag, and Facial Pain RecogniƟon Flag. Should I receive more requests, I will send an update. Thank you, Dr. Melanie Burkholder City Council Member, District 1 City of Carlsbad 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 www.carlsbadca.gov 442‐339‐2830 (City Hall) 442‐637‐2853 (mobile/text) Exhibit 1 July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 3 of 20 ( City of Carlsbad From:Melanie Burkholder To:Sheila Cobian Subject:Additional Flag requests Date:Tuesday, June 20, 2023 2:52:59 PM Here are the additional flag requests I have received: Marijuana Flag, God Bless America Flag, Confederate Flag, Pakistan Flag. Thank you, Dr. Melanie Burkholder City Council Member, District 1 City of Carlsbad 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 www.carlsbadca.gov 442-339-2830 (City Hall) 442-637-2853 (mobile/text) July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 4 of 20 ityof shad From:Melanie Burkholder To:Sheila Cobian Subject:FW: Flags Flown at City Hall Date:Wednesday, July 5, 2023 3:49:50 PM Dr. Melanie Burkholder City Council Member, District 1 City of Carlsbad 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 www.carlsbadca.gov 442-339-2830 (City Hall) 442-637-2853 (mobile/text) From: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Sent: Monday, July 3, 2023 1:47 PM Subject: FW: Flags Flown at City Hall From: Davida Jones <davidajones977@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, July 3, 2023 11:52 AM To: Keith Blackburn <Keith.Blackburn@carlsbadca.gov>; Melanie Burkholder <Melanie.Burkholder@carlsbadca.gov>; Carolyn Luna <Carolyn.Luna@carlsbadca.gov>; Priya Bhat- Patel <Priya.Bhat-Patel@carlsbadca.gov>; Teresa Acosta <Teresa.Acosta@carlsbadca.gov>; Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Flags Flown at City Hall Dear Mayor and City Council, I was deeply distressed as I drove by City Hall recently and saw a pride flag flying in front of the building. I was upset by this for a number of reasons. While I understand that this flag is important to people within the LGBT community, this flag has come to represent: · A trans woman displaying his naked breasts at the White House July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 5 of 20 ityof shad ·People in Pride parades yelling, “We’re coming for your children.” · All-ages drag and pride events where phallic candies, porn coloring books, condoms, and many other adult sexual paraphernalia are available for purchase and visible for children to see. I could list a lot more perverse, highly sexual examples, but I’ll stop there. Additionally, as a Jewish woman of faith, I do not feel comfortable seeing this flag in a public space. According to a Coast News article, “Supporters of the move argue the flag signals an inclusive environment for every resident in the city.” This is an inaccurate statement. Not everyone has the same beliefs or values as those who are promoting a pride flag to be flown in a public space, let alone in front of City Hall. Seeing this flag makes me feel extremely uncomfortable. Personally, I believe the only flags that should be flown in front of City Hall are the California and United States flags. These are flags that unite us, not divide us. However, if City Council now allows individual groups to fly a flag that represents them, I will be requesting that the flag of Israel be flown to show support for Jews who are facing an increase in anti-Semitism here in Carlsbad and throughout the United States. As Council woman Acosta stated, the intersectional flag represents marginalized people. Jews are marginalized and most definitely a minority. I wonder, though, how well my request will be received. Will my flag be raised? Will you show support for Jews? Or is the only group of people allowed to raise a specialty flag the LGBT community because they’re a part of a protected class? Sincerely, Davida Jones CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 6 of 20 Va t i c a n Fl a g Exhibit 2 July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 7 of 20 Wo r l d E l d e r Ab u s e Aw a r e n e s s Da y F l a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 8 of 20 NR A F l a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 9 of 20 PO W / M I A Fl a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 10 of 20 Ju n e t e e n t h Fl a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 11 of 20 St r a i g h t P r i d e Fl a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 12 of 20 Ch r i s t i a n Fl a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 13 of 20 Do m e s t i c Vi o l e n c e Aw a r e n e s s F l a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 14 of 20 Br e a s t C a n c e r Aw a r e n e s s F l a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 15 of 20 Fa c i a l P a i n Aw a r e n e s s F l a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 16 of 20 Ma r i j u a n a F l a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 17 of 20 Go d B l e s s Am e r i c a F l a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 18 of 20 Co n f e d e r a t e Fl a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 19 of 20 Pa k i s t a n i Fl a g July 11, 2023 Item #15 Page 20 of 20 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Council Internet Email Thursday, July 6, 2023 2:18 PM City Clerk Sheila Cobian FW: No on Commemorative Flags From: Cherie Eyer <cherieeyer@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, July 6, 2023 1:08 PM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Cc: Larry eyer <larryeyer@gmail.com>; Cherie <cherie@alfordbevs.com> Subject: No on Commemorative Flags All Receive -Agenda Item # is' For tbe Information of the: c;:rry COUNCIL Date']/JQJ2:3CA ✓CC ~ CM ✓ ACM ~DCM (3) L As residents and taxpayers ofthe City of Carlsbad for many years, we are against the flying of any commemorative flags at City Hall or any City of Carlsbad buildings. It is a simple decision for City Council members to make, and quit wasting time on this item that Council Member Burkholder keeps returning to the Council Agenda. Thank you, Larry and Cherie Eyer 110 Windvane Ln. Carlsbad, CA 92011 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Dear Council Members, joannaekeeping@gmail.com Monday, July 10, 2023 7:32 AM Carolyn Luna Melanie Burkholder; Teresa Acosta; Keith Blackburn; Priya Bhat-Patel; City Clerk Raising Flags > The mere thought that raising the NRA and Confederate flag is the same as raising the Pride flag is reprehensible. Pride brings love and inclusion to our community. It goes without saying that the NRA and Confederate flags represent hate and injustice. > You were elected to represent our community and be role models to our youth. > Do better. > Joanna Keeping > Community Member > Carlsbad Resident > Mother of 2 > 7513 Brava Street, Carlsbad > > Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Council Internet Email Sent: To: Monday, July 10, 2023 8:17 AM City Clerk Subject: FW: Agenda Item #15 From: C Lehr <charleslehr@hotmail.com> Sent: Sunday, July 9, 2023 12:35 PM To: Keith Blackburn <Keith.Blackburn@carlsbadca.gov>; Melanie Burkholder <Melanie.Burkholder@carlsbadca.gov>; Carolyn Luna <Carolyn.Luna@carlsbadca.gov>; Priya Bhat-Patel <Priya.Bhat-Patel@carlsbadca.gov>; Teresa Acosta <Teresa.Acosta@carlsbadca.gov>; Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Agenda Item #15 Greetings Mr. Mayor & Councilmembers: I see that there is an agenda-item scheduled for discussion on 7/11. (I think Councilmember Burkholder is spot on here!) In the spirit of "inclusivity", might I suggest adding the Flying Spaghetti Monster flag to those being considered? Too long have Pastafarians been overlooked. '!..-' And repression? Signs reading "No Irish Need Apply" greeted my ancestors. Let's get the Republic of Ireland flag waving on St. Patrick's Day. I'm a New Orleans Saints fan. If they make the playoffs this season, can we get that up too? That would help us Who Dat's "feel the love". Or. .. perhaps we already have a flag flying that covers EVERYONE. In fact, it literally has the word "United" in it! That's the official flag of The United States of America. Flying other flags is divisive and picks winners and losers. That's hardly "inclusive". Thanks for considering my opinion. Respectfully, Charles Lehr CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou reco nize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Andrea Dykes Sent: To: Monday, July 10, 2023 9:49 AM City Clerk Subject: FW: July 11th Carlsbad City Council Agenda Item 15: Flying Commemorative Flags From: Curtis Wilbur <lizardite@yahoo.com> Sent: Sunday, July 9, 2023 1:40 PM To: Keith Blackburn <Keith.Blackburn@carlsbadca.gov>; Melanie Burkholder <Melanie.Burkholder@carlsbadca.gov>; Carolyn Luna <Carolyn.Luna@carlsbadca.gov>; Priya Bhat-Patel <Priya.Bhat-Patel@carlsbadca.gov>; Teresa Acosta <Teresa.Acosta@carlsbadca.gov>; Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Cc: Marcella Wilbur <mgwilbur@yahoo.com> Subject: July 11th Carlsbad City Council Agenda Item 15: Flying Commemorative Flags To the Mayor and City Council, First of all, my congratulations to Carlsbad for flying the lntersectional Pride Flag during Pride Month. Despite the controversy it seems to generate, it sends a respectful, inclusive message. Bravo! As to commemorative flags in general, I'm fine with the city continuing this practice, as long as: 1) The flag in question conveys a message that is positive and inclusive 2) The flag also represents a theme that promotes Carlsbad as a pleasant and safe place to visit or live, and 3) The promotion of the theme does not break the law or its intent Agenda item #15 is not a good -way to start this discussion though. There are hundreds of themes or organizations whose flags would qualify, and Carlsbad can afford to be selective on this matter. However, many of the flags promoted in Councilmember Burkholder's proposal would not qualify based upon the above criteria. In fact, I am dismayed by both the form and content of the proposal. The proposal's content consists of a single letter from an assumed constituent which contains homophobic messaging, and a list of flags that the councilmember proposes to honor that range from silly, to overtly racist, and finally to outright dangerous. Whether this is a serious attempt to create a confusing image of this city, or a way to delegitimize the Pride flag, I do not know. But whether or not Carlsbad itself is serious about flying commemorative flags, Councilmember Burkholder's introduction to the topic is insulting to the city and the other council members. To Councilmember Burkholder I say this: Hatred of the LGBTQ community is a serious thing. The city standing in support of this vulnerable community is a serious thing. If you are attempting to use your position to discount and dehumanize members of your city, you should resign. If you think this is all fun and games; that inviting NRA supporters and their weapons into Carlsbad is somehow amusing, you should resign. If you don't like the message of support we are sending to the LGBTQ community, maybe you should consider moving. This proposal as it stands is beneath all of you. 1 Curtis Wilbur 6664 Towhee Lane Carlsbad, Ca. 92011 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the content i 2 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Stephanie Wells <ms.sicily@gmail.com> Monday, July 10, 2023 1:16 PM City Clerk All Receive -Agenda Item # f...S For the Information of the: CITY COUNCIL Date?/loby:,A ..,....-cc~ CM _!(ACM L°DCM (3) ✓ Keith Blackburn; Priya Bhat-Patel; Teresa Acosta; Melanie Burkholder; Carolyn Luna 7 /11 Meeting: #15 REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS Good afternoon Mayor and City Council, I wish to express my concerns regarding agenda item 15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS, which was brought forward by Council member Burkholder. -When the council voted 3-2 in favor of flying the lntersectional Pride Flag, it was my understanding that the purpose of this motion was to utilize government speech in City Hall as a reflection of the City's own message, rather than transforming the flagpoles into public forums. The lntersectional Pride Flag holds global recognition and is flown in various locations, illustrating the interconnections between social categorizations such as race, class, and gender. It represents the notion of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. However, the flags proposed by Burkholder represent personal opinions, activities, countries, white supremacy, and singular identities that do not align with the City's intended messaging. It is essential to clarify that the lntersectional Pride Flag should not be equated with the Confederate flag. These two symbols carry vastly different meanings and implications. I am disappointed by Council member Burkholder's lack of decorum and failure to act in the best interests of Carlsbad by including flags that should have been rejected outright. It is disheartening to see a request for the Confederate flag being part of our public record. Is this the reputation we wish Carlsbad to be associated with? Please vote NO on this motion. Respectfully, Stephanie Wells D1, 92008 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Samantha White <info@whitebusinessmanagement.com> Monday, July 10, 2023 2:37 PM City Clerk Carlsbad Resident Comment RE: Agenda Item 1 S: REQUEST TO FLY COMMERORA TIVE FLAGS I am writing to express my concerns regarding agenda item 15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS, whkh Council member Burkholder brought forward. When the council voted 3-2 in favor of flying the lntersectional Pride Flag, I understood that this motion's purpose was to utilize government speech in City Hall as a reflection of the City's message rather than transforming the flagpoles into public forums. Last Friday, I reached out to Ms. Burkholder. She and I had a 20-minute phone conversation expressing my dissatisfaction with her agenda request. She took zero ownership over the publication of the flags listed in the Staff Report dated July 11, 2023. She referred to the City Manager, Scott Chadwick, as responsible for the letter's contents. I genuinely appreciate the transparency with which Mr. Chadwick shared Ms. Burkholder's agenda item request. Ms. Burkholder also acknowledged that more than one flag on the list was a marker of hate and intolerance. However, she went on to clearly state that she was relaying the requests of her: constituents, thus, again, shirking accountability for the hate and intolerance that she is solely responsible for making a part of the City of Carlsbad City Council's public · record. I asked Ms. Burkholder if she had considered the idea that any requests she received by her constituents to fly the Confederate Flag or the Straight Pride flag had done so ill intentionally, and she answered 'no.' I find it incredibly hard in this day and age that a Southern California city representative would not think that a request to fly the Confederate Flag has any other intention than to foster hate and divide in our beautiful city. The lntersectional Pride Flag holds global recognition and is flown in various locations, illustrating the interconnections between social categorizations such as race, class, and gender. It represents the notion of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. However, the flags proposed by Burkholder represent personal opinions, activities, countries, white supremacy, and singular identities that do not align with the City's intended messaging. It is essential to clarify that the lntersectional Pride Flag should not be equated with the Confederate flag. These two symbols carry vastly different meanings and implications. I am disappointed by Council member Burkholder's lack of decorum and failure to act in the best interests of Carlsbad by including flags that should have been rejected outright. Seeing a request for the Confederate flag being part of our public, record is disheartening. Is this the reputation we wish Carlsbad to be associated with? Please vote NO on this motion. Respectfully, Samantha E. White District 1, 92008 1 WBBM ,Nc. Samantha E. White White Bookkeeping & Business Management Phone: 760.607.7460 Email: info@whitebusinessmanagement.com Web: www.whitebusinessmanagement.com 2 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Deborah Forman <profdeb2@gmail.com> Monday, Ju ly 10, 2023 2:50 PM City Clerk Agenda Item 15: Flying Commemorative Flags As a Carlsbad resident, I was deeply saddened and outraged to see the proposal regarding flag raising put forth by Council Member Burkholder and the attachments in support of it. The letter writer for whom the flag symbolizes pornography must not understand the terrible history of LGBTQ+ people in this country nor the purpose of the Pride flag. The Pride flag was created as part of the movement by LGBTQ+ people to obtain equality and to enjoy the basic civil and human rights enjoyed by members of the majority community. Sadly, this fight is far from over, as the current political and cultural climate so amply demonstrates. I cannot recall in my lifetime a more sustained campaign to deprive a minority group ofrights enjoyed by others by state governments around the country and by local governments and school boards here in California. Hard won rights to equality and dignity are under daily attack not just by hate filled individuals, but by elected officials and those in positions of power. Indeed, the Supreme Court just granted business license to discriminate based on the flimsiest of pretexts. In this context particularly, the least we can do is raise a flag to show the LGBTQ+ members of our community that they are safe, respected, and valued. LGBTQ+ are our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. They are doctors, nurses, restaurant workers, teachers, members of the military defending our country and workers in most any other job you could name. It's not hard at all to distinguish LGBTQ+ members of our community from the people or causes identified in the exhibits. The Pride Flag is not the flag of another nation (Israel, Pakistan, Vatican City), or a religion (Vatican). I assume I do not need to explain why it would be inappropriate to fly the Confederate Flag or the flag of the NRA. Carlsbad should reject Council Member Burkholder's attempt to make a mockery of the real struggles faced every day by our LGBTQ+ community. Thank you for considering my comments. Deborah Forman 92009 CA UTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn . From: Sent: To:· Cc: , Subject: Diana A <dra805@gmail.com> Monday, July 10, 2023 3:34 PM City Clerk Priya Bhat-Patel; Keith Blackburn; Melanie Burkholder; Carolyn Luna 7/11 Meeting:#15 REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS Dear Mayor & City Council Members, Please vote no on agenda item #15. --------~ --~ It is disheartening that despite having the code of ethics and values on the agenda, Ms. Burkholder included the Confederate flag, which is widely recognized as a symbol of racism and white supremacy. This inclusion contradicts the principles of inclusivity and respect for all Americans. Moreover, I had previously sent an email to Ms. Burkholder from our Department of Homeland Security, warning about national terrorists targeting the LGBTQ+ community and communities of color in June 2023. This decision to include the Confederate flag raises significant concerns for me, our LGBTQ+ & BIPOC community residing in or visiting our city. The actions of Councilmembers set the tone for our city, and it is essential that we genuinely live up to the ideals of inclusivity and welcoming all individuals. However, Ms. Burkholder's actions call into question whether our city truly embodies these values. It is worrisome to know that attending City Council meetings means exposing oneself to residents who openly express racist, homophobic remarks and even proudly declare their possession of concealed weapons. By including the Confederate flag, Ms. Burkholder has further fueled the fire of such individuals. This is not the kind of city I wish to reside in or encourage my friends and family to visit. We must also consider the importance of maintaining the separation of church and state. Any religious flags should not be deemed acceptable in official government settings. It is deeply disappointing that Ms. Burkholder not only introduced the Confederate flag but also supports constituents who uphold white supremacist values and promotes them by placing such an item on the agenda. In this case, her actions speak louder than words. Respectfully, Diana Aguirre D3, 92011 en attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: To the Mayor and City Council, maryoren < maryoren@aol.com > Monday, July 10, 2023 4:04 PM City Clerk; Keith Blackburn; Carolyn Luna; Priya Bhat-Patel; teresa.acost@carlsbadca.gov; Melanie Burkholder Agenda Item #15 Commemerative Flags Being involved in the effort to raise the Pride Flag in Carlsbad was something to be proud of. We, the community and leadership together -were able to go a step beyond saying we support citizens in our community verbally to actually raising a symbolic flag in June -like others did in communities across the country. This kind and public action was an important step toward inclusion, and offered some citizens who don't feel safe or supported a moment to experience that - safe and supported. Kindness was the profound outcome of this joint effort, thank you for listening to us CB Leaders! Agenda item #15, promoted by Councilmember Burkholder is actually offering the reverse of what we achieved earlier. It does not show unity and kindness, it promotes something else entirely that feels exclusive, destructive and mean. We're not about promoting issues that threaten or marginalize others. If that's the message Burkholder is comfortable with it says a lot about her understanding or lack there of -what we are all about. This moment in our local and national history is not about glorifying weapons, hatred or racism to be clear, a pride flag during the month of June symbolized the opposite, peace and harmony and support for those who actually often endure violence and unacceptance simply because of who they are. It's 2023. We know who we are and we are moving forward toward kindness and inclusion. Guns and other dangerous messages and symbols blowing beside the flag of our county would only send us backward and promote some other kind of statement that ultimately is threatening, not kind. It's remarkably simple. Let's not go down the road of -if this then that -we are better, more mature, more evolved aren't we?! Don't turn this into an - I know you are but what am I -endless childish loop. We know what is kind and what is bullying. Let's stand for kindness, please . Do not taint what we were able to do by doing something ridiculous now. The proposal raised in Agenda Item #15 is embarrassing, it's not moving us toward better, it's suggesting we take steps backward to a darker time in our history we have already passed through. We elected you to move forward. Please disregard this ridiculous effort of -if them then us -maneuvering. We are better than this Carlsbad. Thank you, Mary Oren Carlsbad resident 24 years CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: To whom it may concern, Samira Jones <samirasjones@gmail.com> Monday, July 10, 2023 4:18 PM City Clerk Commemorative Flag Flying I wish to express my concerns regarding agenda item 15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS, which was brought forward by Council member Burkholder. When the council voted 3-2 in favor of flying the lntersectional Pride Flag, it was my understanding that the purpose of this motion was to utilize government speech in City Hall as a reflection of the City's own message, rather than transforming the flagpoles into public forums. The lntersectional Pride Flag holds global recognition and is flown in various locations, illustrating the interconnections between social categorizations such as race, class, and gender. It represents the notion of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. However, the flags proposed by Burkholder represent personal opinions, activities, countries, white supremacy, and singular identities that do not align with the City's intended messaging. It is essential to clarify that the lntersectional Pride Flag should not be equated with the Confederate flag. These two symbols carry vastly different meanings and implications. I am disappointed by Council member Burkholder's lack of decorum and failure to act in the best interests of Carlsbad by including flags that should have been rejected outright. It is disheartening to see a request for the Confederate flag being part of our public record. Is this the reputation we wish Carlsbad to be associated with? Please vote NO on this motion. Respectfully, Sam Jones CA UTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Alyssa Wu <alyssamwu@gmail.com> Monday, July 10, 2023 6:04 PM City Clerk Vote on Burkholder flag requests To the Carlsbad City Council Members, All Receive -Agenda Item# L:5 For the Information of the: _ ~117{ COUNCIL Date"lld/.J2J CA Y-CC ✓ CM __oCM ✓ DCM (3) V" I am writing to express my dismay in the possibility of Carlsbad flying both the NRA and Confederate flags. As we are all now well aware, the Confederate flag represents those who owned others due to the color of their skin. Those families are still seeing the effects of slavery today and it is incredibly disheartening that instead of creating policies to mitigate these disadvantages, that a city I am a proud resident of would choose to instead fly a flag representative of many of the mistakes we made as a country in the past. Furthermore, as a healthcare professional I am angry that the NRA flag would even be suggested. Since 2020, guns are now the leading cause of death for US children and teens. I see firsthand at Radys's hospital the impact this has on kids and instead of ensuring they feel safe, council member Burkholder instead wants to highlight the organization causing this crisis. I hope you will all choose to vote to promote a city of inclusivity and diversity, and a city who will always put our children's safety first. Thank you. Alyssa Wu CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know th e content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Priya Bhat-Patel Sent: To: Monday, July 10, 2023 6:18 PM City Clerk Subject: Fwd: Flags at Ci~y Hall Get Outlook for iOS From: Shane Baum <shanebaum16@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, July 10, 2023 4:41:57 PM To: Carolyn Luna <Carolyn.Luna@carlsbadca.gov>; Keith Blackburn <Keith.Blackburn@carlsbadca.gov>; Melanie Burkholder <Melanie.Burkholder@carlsbadca.gov>; Priya Bhat-Patel <Priya.Bhat-Patel@carlsbadca.gov>; Teresa Acosta <Teresa .Acosta@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Flags at City Hall Dear Councilmembers and Mayor Blackbum, I am a recent high school graduate and a student at the University of Michigan. I have lived in Carlsbad my entire life and dedicated much of high school career serving others in the community. Yet, recently I have felt that the city has taken significant steps back. The -proposals by Councilmember Burkholder to fly at City Hall, such as the National Rifle Association, Christian, and Confederate flags, are concerning and derogatory. One of America's greatest foundations is the ideal of free speech and expression. However, for any government to espouse hatred and bigotry that is so associated with the Confederacy and the NRA is not American. Additionally, Ms. Burkholder's talking points always seem to highlight the erasure of "big government'; what is bigger than a city government endorsing one religion? I highly urge the Council to take steps to prevent these flags from being risen and representing the views of Carlsbad residents. I promise that the large majority of us do not support this. Regards, Shane Baum CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Attachments: Dear Clerk, Kathy Rooney <kathyroon@gmail.com> Monday, July 10, 2023 6:36 PM City Clerk Vote NO -agenda item #15; council meeting 7-11-23 Carlsbad council letter 7-10-23.pdf Attached is a letter urging the Carlsbad City Council to vote NO on agenda #15. Best, Kathleen Rooney CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i 1 July 10, 2023 Dear Car1.sbad City Council: I'm very concerned regarding agenda item 15; REQUEST TO FLY COMME ORA TIVE Fl.AGSi which was. brought forward by Council member Burkholoor. When the council voted 3-2 in favor of flying the lrrtersectlonat Prldo flag. I thought that the purpose of thts motion was to utilize government speech in City Hall as a retlectJon of the Cityts own message, rather than transforming the flagpOtes into public forums. The lntersectlonal Pride Rag holds global recognition and is flown in various locations, illustrating 1he iTiterconnections between social categorizations such as race, class,, and gender. It represents the notion of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. In contrast, the flags proposed by Burkholder rqm?Sent personal opinions, activities, countries. white supremacy, and singular identities that do not aUgn with the City's intended messaging. It is essential to clarify that the tntersectional Pride Aag should not be equated with the Confederate flag. These. two symbols carry vastly different meanings and implications. I am dJsappointed by Council member BurkhoJders lack of respect for us citilens, as well as h~t coun.eH co!l:eagues_ She failed to act in the best interest$ of Carlsbad l:)y including flags that should have been rejected outright. Is thJs the reputation that we wish for Carlsbad? Please vote NO on this motion . . Respectfutty, Kathleen Rooney 1039 Freedom Court Del Mar. CA ~2014 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Council members, Mali E4E < mali@encinitas4equality.org > Monday, July 10, 2023 6:48 PM City Clerk Are we Carlsbad or the rural south?! Upon hearing that Councilmember Burkholder has agendized flying "commemorative" flags and then seeing the list, I was equally disgusted and also not surprised. After all, this is what we expect and see all across the county -politicians racing to the bottom to be as horrid, hateful and deeming of others in hopes of a sound bite & attention. The idea that the NRA flag should fly (does this even exist?!), at City Hall is beyond comprehension. Do we seriously wish to glorify weapons and an organization that kills people, largely young children? Or worse, the confederate flag? A flag which stood for the oppression and enslavement of our Black communities, a flag that glorifies White supremacy? Carlsbad will now have the confederate flag on the record as an agenda item of discussion, we absolutely must do better. I'm hoping this email finds the other 4 members of the council without any question of how they will vote. But it is also essential that council members clarify that the lntersectional Pride Flag should never be equated with some of the flags listed on the agendized item. Mali Woods Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Jason Rosenberg <jarosenberg@gmail.com> Monday, July 10, 2023 7:10 PM City Clerk; Priya Bhat-Patel; Keith Blackburn; Teresa Acosta; Carolyn Luna; Melanie Burkholder Please reject agenda number 15 This July 4th week, while Americans from sea to shining sea celebrated America's birthday, Councilmember Burkholder put forward a motion to fly a flag that literally divided our union. In what can only be seen as a sickening political stunt, Councilmember Burkholder is advocc:iting flying the flag hanging on the battlefield as hundreds of thousands of Amercains died. She is advocating flying a flag that waved as Black men, women and children were lynched and treated as property for generations. The Confederate flag is such a symbol of hate, that then-Republican Governor and GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley used her executive actions to pull the Confederate Flags from the South Carolina Capitol groups following the death of nine Black congregants in the mass shooting of Emanuel AME Church by a White Supremacist. The City Council should not even entertain this show of bigotry because we're better than that. If a councilmember can't .. understand the significance of the Confederate Flag as division, then they shouldn't sit on the City Council. Shame on Council member Burkholder. I hope the Mayor will join all members of the City Council in rejecting hate, violence and treason. Jason Rosenberg Carlsbad, District 3 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Dear Council and Mayor: Nikki Faddick <nfaddick@gmail.com> Monday, July 10, 2023 7:29 PM City Clerk; Melanie Burkholder; Teresa Acosta; Priya Bhat-Patel; Carolyn Luna; Keith Blackburn Agenda Item 15 I am writing to obviously ask you to vote no on agenda item 15, in consideration of several flags that Council Member Burkeholder has disingenuously proposed be flown at our city hall; and in so doing has clearly intentionally conflated the concept of the marginalized identities of a constitutionally protected class of citizens, with issue awar~ness months, religions, other sovereign nations, and symbols of white supremacy, like the confederate flag. The mere suggestion of these flags is obviously meant to be controversial and provocative-it most certainly can't be serious. It trivializes the very real danger and discrimination faced by our LGBTQ community, whose flag we proudly flew last month and to which this is an obvious overreaction. Ms. Burkeholder is aware that there is nothing that required her to bring these flags forward for consideration: this was a choice, and a poor one at that, meant to mock members of our community and the danger and discrimination they face. This is an un-serious request and the citizens of our city deserve more than its representatives wasting time with agenda items that are clearly intended to mock and inflame. Sincerely, Nikki Faddick CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Chih-Wu Chang <chihwu.chang@gmail.com> Monday, July 10, 2023 9:05 PM City Cle rk; Keith Bl ackburn; Teresa Acosta; Priya Bhat-Patel; Carolyn Luna Melanie Burkholder Agenda Item #15 REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS -Please Vote NO Dear Mayor Blackburn and City Council Members, I have been a resident of the City of Carlsbad since 2004. I love our city and wish to preserve the beauty, love, respect, and inclusivity of the city. However, I am expressing my displeasure and significant concerns about agenda item 15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS. A request to fly the Confederate flag as part of this request is appalling. An attempt to equate flying the Confederate flag to flying the Pride Flag insults the LGBTQ+ community and other minority communities. The City of Carlsbad has no room for bigotry and racism. Flying the confederate flag is an endorsement of enslaving and lynching my black brothers and sisters. Please do not endorse this misguided attempt by Council Member Burkholder. Please do not let the City of Carlsbad become the laughingstock of the United States. We are much better than this. I reject the request by Council Member Burkholder. I urge you to vote NO on Agenda Item #15. Best Regards, Chih-Wu Chang Zip 92009 he/him/his CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: To whom it may concern: l.s.vincent3@gmail.com Monday, July 10, 2023 9:51 PM City Clerk Carlsbad Council meeting 7/11/2023 Agenda item 15 I wish to express my deep concern regarding agenda item 15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS, which was brought forward by Council member Burkholder. When the council voted 3-2 in favor of flying the lntersectional Pride Flag, it was my understanding that the purpose of this motion was to utilize government speech in City Hall as a reflection of the City's own message, rather than transforming the flagpoles into public forums. The lntersectional Pride Flag holds global recognition and is flown in various locations, illustrating the interconnections between social categorizations such as race, class, and gender. It represents the notion of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. However, the flags proposed by Burkholder represent personal opinions, activities, countries, white supremacy, religious affiliations (see separation of Church and State), Lobbyists, and singular identities that do not align with the City's intended messaging. · It is essential to clarify that the lntersectional Pride Flag should not be equated with the Confederate flag. These two symbols carry vastly different meanings and implications. As someone who operates a business in Carlsbad I am severely disappointed by Council member Burkholder's lack of decorum and failure to act in the best interests of Carlsbad by including flags that should have been rejected outright. It is disheartening to see a request for the Confederate flag being part of our public record. Is this the reputation we wish Carlsbad to be associated with? Please vote NO on this motion. Respectfully, Lisa Vincent District 49 92083 President Showing Up for Racial Justice NCSD To sit back and do nothing is to cooperate with the oppressor. ~ Jane Elliott CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Cindy Baker <cindybaker1020@gmail.com> Monday, July 10, 2023 10:02 PM City Clerk No on 15!!! To the Members of the Carlsbad City Council: I wish to express my concerns regarding agenda item 15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS, which was brought forward by Council member Burkholder. When the council voted 3-2 in favor of not flying the appropriate lntersectional Pride Flag it was shocking and disheartening to say the least. Certainly it was my understanding that the purpose of the motion regarding 'flag recognition' was to portray City Hall as a reflection of the City's own message of kindness, community and diversity. However, the flags proposed by Burkholder primarily seem to represent personal opinions, activities, countries, white supremacy, and singular identities that do not align with the population here in Carlsbad . To be clear, the 'lntersectional Pride Flag' is preferred over the former Straight Flag. It is globally recognized and illustrates the interconnections between social categorizations such as race, class, and gender. It represents the notion of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. I am highly disappointed by Council member Burkholder's insensitivity and failure to act in the best interests & portrayal of Carlsbad by including flags that should have been rejected without hesitation. It is alarming, horrifying and disheartening to see a request for the Confederate flag being part of Carlsbad's public record. WTF? And the NRA flag -really??? Is this the reputation we wish Carlsbad to be associated with? Not me, and I think most residents would say absolutely not! Please vote NO on this motion. Respectfully, Cynthia Baker District 1, 92008 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Sam Ward <Sam_M_Ward@yahoo.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 6:27 AM City Clerk Agenda Item 15 Dear Mayor and Councilmembers - As indicated by her interview with the Union-Tribune, Councilmember Burkholder has decided that she is little more than a human garbage can, accepting every piece of trash thrown her way. Thus, she both agendizes and disclaims a discussion of flying, among other things, the Confederate flag on city flag poles. Unfortunately, Councilmember Burkholder's petty, hyper-partisan, and divisive ways will not change. Our City deserves better, but will not get it from her. Agenda Item 15 is beneath this City, beneath its residents, be,-,eath the Mayor and the City Council members -I dare say it is even beneath Councilmember Burkholder. Agenda Item 15 stands as further example of the bigotry faced by the LGBTQ+ community every day. I hope that in reading this letter, four of you will see why flying the lntersectional Pride Flag is needed to show that Carlsbad is a welcoming community to all. Councilmember Burkholder -shame on you. I urge the rema inder of the council to choose to be the adults in the room, waste as little time with this garbage as possible, vote it down, and strongly encourage Councilmember Burkholder to use taxpayers' time, staff time, and taxpayer money more wisely. Sam Ward District 1 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Vickey Syage <vickey.syage@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 6:51 AM Keith Blackburn; Priya Bhat-Patel; Teresa Acosta; Carolyn Luna; Melanie Burkholder City Clerk; Scott Chadwick Agenda Item #15 -Request to Fly Commemorative Flags Dear Mayor Blackburn, Council Members, and City Manager I wish to express my dismay regarding Agenda Item 15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS, which was brought forward by Council Member Burkholder. When the council voted 3-2 in favor of flying the lntersectional Pride Flag, the City Attorney made clear to the Council and the public that the purpose of this motion was to utilize GOVERNMENT SPEECH in City Hall as a reflection of the City's own message. It was also clarified that the Resolution DID NOT transform the flagpoles into public forums. The lntersectional Pride Flag holds global recognition and is flown in many government locations at all levels of government, including over the White House. The lntersectional Pride flag illustrates the interconnections between social categorizations such as race, class, and gender. It represents the notion of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. The flags proposed by Council Member Burkholder represent personal opinions, activities, religions, countries, white supremacy, and singular identities that do not align with the City's intended messaging, and certainly not in line with the majority of my and my neighbors' beliefs. I am particularly horrified that the Confederate Flag and the NRA flag were on the list for consideration. Including the religious flags demonstrates outright disregard of our Constitution and the separation of Church .and State, one of the founding tenants of our country. I am disappointed by this request by Council Member Burkholder. This resolution demonstrates poor judgement on the part of an elected official and a failure to act in the best interests of Carlsbad by including flags that should have been rejected outright. It is disheartening to see a request for the Confederate flag and NRA flag being part of our public record by a sitting Council Member. I expect better from all members of our City Council. We as Carlsbad are better than this. Please vote NO. Respectfully, Vickey Syage Carlsbad Resident CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Stacie <staciebeal@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 7:07 AM City Clerk No on 15 To the Members of the Carlsbad City Council: I wish to express my concerns regarding agenda item 15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS, which was brought forward by Council member Burkholder. When the council voted 3-2 in favor of not flying the appropriate lntersectional Pride Flag it was shocking and disheartening to say the least. Certainly it was my understanding that the purpose of the motion regarding 'flag recognition' was to portray City Hall as a reflection of the City's own message of kindness, community and diversity. However, the flags proposed by Burkholder primarily seem to represent personal opinions, activities, countries, white · supremacy, and singular identities that do not align with the population here in Carlsbad . ~ To be clear; the 'lntersectional Pride Flag' is preferred over the former Straight Flag. It is globally recognized and illustrates the interconnections between social categorizations such as race, class, and gender. It represents the notion of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. I am highly disappointed by Council member Burkholder's insensitivity and failure to act in the best interests & portrayal of Carlsbad by including flags that should have been rejected without hesitation. It is alarming, horrifying and disheartening to see a request for the Confederate flag being part of Carlsbad's public record. Is this the reputation we wish Carlsbad to be associated with? Not me, and I think most residents would say absolutely not! Please vote NO on this motion. Respectfully, Stacie Beal District 1, 92008 . CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Narima Lopes <nmlopes2@yahoo.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 7:49 AM Melanie Burkholder; Keith Blackburn; Carolyn Luna; Priya Bhat-Patel; Teresa Acosta City Clerk Agenda Item #15: Comment on "Request to Fly Commemorative Flags" Dear Mayor & City Council Members, I am truly troubled to see a mixed bag of commemorative flags put forth by Council member Melanie Burkholder for further discussion. Melanie, as a duly elected member of the Carlsbad City Council, you should know better than make a mockery of the process, the city and constituents that you have been elected to serve. If this is your reaction to the flying of the Pride flag, you should be ashamed of yourself. The LGBTQ+ group has long been victimized, unable to enjoy equal human rights relative to the majority of the population. The intent of flying the Pride flag was to send a message of welcome and inclusivity to the LGBTQ+ community in the city of Carlsbad . You have in this list of flags, groups that have been victimized and groups that are usually resposible for the victimization. To consider these groups to be equal calls into question an embarrassing lack of judgement on your part. Council members, please vote NO on Agenda Item #15. Respectfully, Narima Lopes Carlsbad CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Council Internet Email Sent: To: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 8:17 AM City Clerk Subject: FW: Item #15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS From: Dale Bartley <dale.bartley@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 8:12 AM To: Peggy <peggybart1ey45@proton.me> Cc: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Re: Item #15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS I agree with you. On Tue, Jul 11, 2023, 7:38 AM Peggy <peggybart1ey45@proton.me> wrote: I request only two flags be flown at the Carlsbad City Council: 1. Our American flag 2. Our California flag. Why cause division by politicizing the City Council? Margaret Bartley Carlsbad Sent from Proton Mail for iOS CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Council Internet Email Sent: To: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 8:20 AM City Clerk Subject: FW: Only 2 flags should fly at Carlsbad city! -----Original Message----- From: Krisha Markowicz <krisha2700@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 7:57 AM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Only 2 flags should fly at Carlsbad city! Mayor and city council members- Only 2 flags should fly at Carlsbad city Hall that unites all residents of Carlsbad, the American and Californian flags. Resident and taxpayer. Krisha Wolter D2 Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: Do not open attachmen.ts or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Council Internet Email Sent: To: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 8:20 AM City Clerk Su bject: FW: Item# 15 From: K Motsinger <kimber6343@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 7:57 AM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@ca rlsbadca.gov> Subject: Item # 15 Only 2 flags CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Council Internet Email Sent: To: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 8:20 AM City Clerk Subject: FW: Item #15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS From: Peggy <peggybart1ey4S@proton.me> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 7:39 AM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Item #15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS I request only two flags be flown at the Carlsbad City Council: 1. Our American flag 2. Our California flag. Why cause division by politicizing the City Council? Margaret Bartley Carlsbad Sent from Proton Mail for iOS CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Dear Carlsbad City Council, Simone Maclellan <spmaclellan@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 8:39 AM City Clerk Agenda Item 15: Request to fly commemorative flags I am a resident of Carlsbad and I find the list of flags proposed by Council Member Burkholder inappropriate, irresponsible, and an abuse of his position as a representative of our community. Equating the lntersectional Pride Flag with the Confederate Flag is a cruel insult to a vulnerable community who have been oppressed, discriminated and all through history, persecuted . Council Member Burkholder's list of all the inappropriate causes showed that he acted in bad faith to the community at large, by his mockery of free speech, his mockery of a community who needs to be defended and accepted of their humanity with their fellow Americans. He knows better. Carlsbad is better than this. We know the symbol and meaning of the Confederate flag, and Carlsbad should want no part of this symbol and its meaning in our public record. Please vote NO on this motion. Respectfully yours, Simone Maclellan Carlsbad, 92009 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or dick on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: kelly.leberthon 12@gmail.com Tuesday, July 11 , 2023 9:04 AM City Clerk Item #15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS Only 2 flags (American and Californian flags) should be flown over our city. CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: marcella wilbur <mgwilbur@yahoo.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 9:09 AM City Clerk; Melanie Burkholder; Keith Blackburn; Teresa Acosta; Priya Bhat-Patel; Carolyn Luna Comment for Carlsbad City Council Agenda Item 15: Flying Commemorative Flags Dear Mayor and City Council members, Please vote NO on Agenda Item 15, discussion of flying commemorative flags in Carlsbad. I do support flying commemorative flags in general, however, the list of flags suggested by Council member Burkholder gives me great concern. It is unclear if her intent was to retaliate against the Pride flag or just make a mockery of the process. In either case this continued weaponization of serious issues is very harmful to the Carlsbad community. As a long time resident of Carlsbad, I know the majority of the City's constituents know the difference between the symbols of inclusion and examples of outright bigotry in Ms. Burkholder's proposed flag list. Ms. Burkholder is showing a lack of empathy and understanding of what her job as City Council member entails. If she continues to insist on creating discord in our community, then, I encourage her to resign her post. Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerely, Marcella Wilbur Carlsbad Resident 92011 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you reco nize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Edward Mlakar <ed67000@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 9:33 AM City Clerk Item 15 I was shocked at Council member Burkholder's flag list. My father fought in world war two against the white supremacists. Now she wants to bring white supremacy back. Thank you Ed mlakar, CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: kmb4uky@aol.com . Tuesday, July 11, 2023 10:11 AM All Receive -Agenda Item # / S For the Information of the: ,..,9.~~~~NCIL Date~ ✓cc v-- CM _.c-ACM ✓DCM (3) ✓ Keith Blackburn; Carolyn Luna; Priya Bhat-Patel; Teresa Acosta; Melanie Burkholder; City Clerk Agenda #15. REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS Dear Mayor and Carlsbad City Councilmembers, As a longtime Carlsbad resident, I have been following the recent back and forth interactions regarding the display of commemorative flags. I was initially encouraged by the request from Councilmember Burkholder to extend the discussion on this issue. However, upon reading her request, I realized that it was not a serious effort to achieve anything, but an apparent stunt to make her flippant, derogatory views about otherwise serious issues known. Well, goal achieved there, Councilmember Burkholder. We know not to look to you for any meaningful leadership effort going forward". As a veteran who has experienced pretty extensive interaction with some of the impacted communities who continue to seek simple humanity and acceptance, I have to conclude that Councilmember Burkholder has a very limited grasp of the real world in which we now live. How else could she even deem to include a "National Rifle Association flag" on her list? When gun violence is the #1 cause of death for children and teens in the US? Clearly, this is not a serious attempt to elevate our community, let alone the discourse on this subject. I hope she takes some time to learn some facts and context before her next "request". Sincerely, Karin Brennan Carlsbad resident CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and kn ow the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Simone Maclellan <spmaclellan@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 10:25 AM City Clerk Re: Agenda Item 15: Request to fly commemorative flags To the Clerk of The City of Carl bad, Corrections, please! I apologize that in my message I had indicated Council Member Melanie Burkholder as a male . would like to replace in my message with "She" and "her" where I had previously written "He" and "his". Thank you for making the appropriate corrections. Sincerely yours, Simone Maclellan > On Jul 11, 2023, at 11:38 AM, Simone Maclellan <spmaclellan@gmail.com> wrote: > > Dear Carlsbad City Council, > I am a resident of Carlsbad and I find the list of flags proposed by Council Member Burkholder inappropriate, irresponsible, and an abuse of his position as a representative of our community. > > Equating the lntersectional Pride Flag with the Confederate Flag is a cruel insult to a vulnerable community who have been oppressed, discriminated and all through history, persecuted . > > Council Member Burkholder's list of all the inappropriate causes showed that he acted in bad faith to the community at large, by his mockery of free speech, his mockery of a community who needs to be defended and accepted of their humanity with their fellow Americans. He knows better. > > Carlsbad is better than this. We know the symbol and meaning of the Confederate flag, and Carlsbad should want no part of this symbol and its meaning in our public record. Please vote NO on this motion. > > Respectfully yours, > Simone Maclellan > Carlsbad, 92009 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Julia Darling <jvdarling@roadrunner.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 10:40 AM City Clerk Item #15 for 7 /11/23 council meeting I am a long time resident of Carlsbad. I was appreciative that the council recently approved to request to fly the Pride Flag at city hall. I would welcome the consideration of flying other representative flags during the year that would honor other communities ~swell. However, the letter that is being presented with many different symbols of various groups is ludicrous so I wonder what the writer of that letter is trying to express. I, for one, would certainly not support the flying of an NRA flag. I think our intention with use of the flag for pride month is to be an inclusive community that is safe for traditionally oppressed groups. We want our studen.ts and community members to feel a sense of belonging when the live in and go to school in Carlsbad. It is a shame that children and youth are sometimes afraid to go to school and may be learning active shooter drills. Perhaps, we can hear from other communities that may feel supported by a flag being flown, e.g. Black History month or Indigenous Peqple's Day. I hope the council will make a careful, well thought out decision in this regard and not respond to requests that are extreme. Thank you. Julia Darling CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize th e sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: KC Krause < kckrause@gmail.com > Tuesday, July 11, 2023 10:41 AM City Clerk Keith Blackburn; Priya Bhat-Patel; Teresa Acosta; Carolyn Luna; Melanie Burkholder 7/11 Meeting:#15 REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS Dear Mayor & City Council Members, Please vote no on agenda item #15. It is unsettling that despite having the code of ethics and values on the agenda, Ms. Burkholder included the Confederate flag, which is widely recognized as a symbol of racism and white supremacy. https://mjhnyc.org/blog/the-confederate-flag-the-use-of-a-symbol "Today, the Confederate flag is regularly weaponized by neo-Nazis and far-right extremists as they seek to intimidate African Americans and other minority groups. The flag is also be used to target Jewish Americans, as it was when it was tied to the front doors of the Museum of Jewish Heritage in January 2021." Moreover, our Department of Homeland Security has warned about national terrorist groups targeting the LGBTQ+ community and communities of color in 2023. https://www.dhs.gov/ news/2023/05/24/ d hs-issues-natio na 1-terro rism-adviso ry-system-ntas-bu I leti n This decision to include the Confederate flag raises significant concerns for our Carlsbad, San Diego, and Southern California communities residing in or visiting our city. The actions of Council members set the tone for our city, and it is essential that we genuinely live up to the ideals of inclusivity and welcoming all individuals. However, Ms. Burkholder's actions call into question whether our city truly embodies these values. It is worrisome to know that attending City Council meetings means exposing oneself to residents who openly express racist, homophobic remarks and proudly declare their possession of concealed weapons. By including the Confederate flag, Ms. Burkholder has further fueled the fire of such individuals. These are the kind of divisive issues that increase controversy, which discourages visitors and tourism. It is unfortunate that Ms. Burkholder not only introduced the Confederate flag, but also supports constituents who uphold white supremacist values and promotes them by placing such an item on the agenda. In this case, her actions speak louder than words. As a Carlsbad resident since the 90s, our family is deeply concerned about the new direction our city is heading and how this affects our city moving forward. Also, this is from an article in SD-UT about this Carlsbad controversy, "The Pride flag is widely seen as a symbol of civil rights and is flown by 1oo's of government agencies across the United States. The Confederate flag, meanwhile, is viewed as a symbol of hate and oppression and has been banned by 1oo's of agencies." https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/carlsbad/story/2023-07-10/carlsbad-city-council- member-proposes-flying-confederate-flag 1 Lastly, concerning the values, our citizens want our public spaces to symbolize. "Ninety-six percent of the respondents believe that public spaces should be more welcoming to people of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. Ninety percent believe that the history of slavery should be told, and nearly half of Americans, regardless of political party or religious affiliation, agree that the values that should guide the creation of new monuments in public spaces are service to the community, our foundation as a nation of immigrants and patriotism." https://www.splcenter.org/news/2022/10/18/survey-confederate-monuments-politics-religion --·-· ---··-- Respectfully, Krause Family D1 in Olde Carlsbad 92008 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 2 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Hello, Casey Doan <caseymac81@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 11:12 AM City Clerk Burkholder complaint I wish to express my concerns regarding agenda item 15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS, which was brought forward by Council member Burkholder. The lntersectional Pride Flag is recognized globally and widely flown. It illustrates the interconnections between race, class, and gender. It represents the notion of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. On the other hand, the flags proposed by Burkholder represent personal opinions, activities, countries, white supremacy, and singular identities that do not align with the City's intended messaging. It is essential to clarify that the lntersectional Pride Flag should not be equated with the Confederate flag. These two symbols carry vastly different meanings and implications. I am disappointed by Council member Burkholder's lack of decorum and failure to act in the best interests of Carlsbad by including flags that should have been rejected outright. It is disheartening to see a request for the Confederate flag being part of our public record. Is this the reputation we wish Carlsbad to be associated with? Please vote NO on this motion. Respectfully, Casey Doan (she/her) 92129 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Ta mmy Cloud-McM inn From: Sent: To: Subject: Tim and Misty O'Healy <ohealytim.misty@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 11 :13 AM City Clerk; Priya Bhat-Patel; Keith Blackburn; Melanie Burkholder; Carolyn Luna 7/11 Meeting: #15 REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS Dear Mayor & City Council Members, Please vote no on agenda item #15. As a US Marine veteran I feel flying the Confederate flag, the flag of our enemy and a symbol of racism and white supremacy, to be a cowardly and treasonous act. This ill -conceived idea should not even be considered by the Carlsbad City Council and I question the actual motives of the proponent of this proposal. Timothy J. O'Healy CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Misty O'Healy <mistyohealy@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 11 :20 AM City Clerk; Priya Bhat-Patel; Keith Blackburn; Melanie Burkholder; Carolyn Luna 7/11 Meeting:#15 REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS Dear Mayor & City Council Members, Please vote no on agenda item #15. I strongly oppose flying the Confederate flag which is a symbol of racism and white supremacy. This proposal calls into question the values of the City of Carlsbad. Are we a welcoming and inclusive community or do we embody the values of the Confederacy? Is this a serious proposal or is there another agenda? Best regards, Misty O'Healy CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Cinda Kemper <cindakemper@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 11 :24 AM City Clerk; Carolyn Luna; Priya Bhat-Patel; Keith Blackburn; Teresa Acosta; Melanie Burkholder NO Vote on Agenda Item 15 Dear Carlsbad City Council Members: I am writing to urge you to vote NO on Agenda Item #15, Flying Commemorative Flags. Our beautiful city is a welcoming place for residents and visitors. The Council's decision to fly the intersectional Pride flag was an affirmation of our values of inclusivity and celebration of the human spirit. Councilmember Burkholder's suggestion that flags which represent hateful and violent ideologies should be flown represents the type of harmful political grandstanding that has no place in a serious council chamber. Our city is better than this. Please vote No on this cynical proposal. Cinda Kemper District 3 92011 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Vanessa Forsythe <vforsythe13@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 11 :43 AM City Clerk; Melanie Burkholder; Keith Blackburn; Teresa Acosta; Priya Bhat-Patel; Carolyn Luna 7 /11 Meeting Agenda Item #15 Dear Mayor & City Council Members Regarding Agenda Item# 15 the flying of multiple "commemorative flags" as listed in Council Members request is wrong in so many ways. It includes raising the confederate flag, a symbol of hatred and insurrection. We must also consider the importance of maintaining the separation of church and state. Any religious flags should not be deemed acceptable in official government settings. Raising these types of flags will leave visitors and community members with the wrong message about what principles raising these flags sends. Rather as representatives of our community -the consistent message from the city needs to be one of inclusivity and respect for all Americans. Lastly I don't understand why this resolution is being brought forward at all -when previously it was the council's decision to not have a "flag policy" that would limit representation as it would be impossible to reflect all points of view. Vote no on the Agenda Item # 15 Sincerely Vanessa Forsythe 2177 Vista La Nisa Carlsbad CA 92009 Vanessa Forsythe RN MSN Pronouns: She/Her CleanEarth4Kids California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice "Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks -no form of government can render us secure." James Madison CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know th e content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Council Internet Email Tuesday, July 11, 2023 12:42 PM City Clerk FW: List of City Hall Flags From: James Mclane <mclanenursery@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 12:37 PM To: Carolyn Luna <Carolyn.Luna@carlsbadca.gov>; Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov>; Keith Blackburn <Keith.Blackburn@carlsbadca.gov>; Melanie Burkholder <Melanie.Burkholder@carlsbadca.gov>; Priya Bhat-Patel <Priya.Bhat-Patel@carlsbadca.gov>; Teresa Acosta <Teresa.Acosta@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: List of City Hall Flags Dear Mayor and Council, We are writing to voice our concern about Councilwoman Burkholder's list of flags to be flown at City Hall, given to her by unnamed "constituents". I sincerely hope that this kind of political theatre, now so common in the US congress, is not what we have to look forward to in Carlsbad for the remainder of Ms. Burkholder's term. If so, it will be an embarrassment to the city and a distraction from doing the work that the voters expect the Council to do. Please vote no, and in doing so, send a clear message that Carlsbad is better than this. Sincerely, James M. Mclane Fen-Fen Lin District 3 Carlsbad, CA Sent from Gmail Mobile CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Simone Maclellan <spmaclellan@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 10:25 AM City Clerk Re: Agenda Item 15: Request to fly commemorative flags To the Clerk of The City of Carl bad, Corrections, please! I apologize that in my message I had indicated Council Member Melanie Burkholder as a male . would like to replace in my message with "She" and "her" where I had previously written "He" and "his". Thank you for making the appropriate corrections. Sincerely yours, Simone Maclellan > On Jul 11, 2023, at 11:38 AM, Simone Maclellan <spmaclellan@gmail.com> wrote: > > Dear Carlsbad City Council, > I am a resident of Carlsbad and I find the list of flags proposed by Council Member Burkholder inappropriate, irresponsible, and an abuse of his position as a representative of our community. > > Equating the lntersectional Pride Flag with the Confederate Flag is a cruel insu[t to a vulnerable community who have been oppressed, discriminated and all through history, persecuted : > > Council Member Burkholder's list of all the inappropriate causes showed that he acted in bad faith to the community at large, by his mockery of free speech, his mockery of a community who needs to be defended and accepted of their humaniW with their fellow Americans. He knows better. > > Carlsbad is better than this. We know the symbol and meaning of the Confederate flag, and Carlsbad should want no part of this symbol and its meaning in our public record . Please vote NO on this motion. > > Respectfully yours, > Simone Maclellan > Carlsbad, 92009 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Council Internet Email Sent: To: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 12:42 PM City Clerk Subject: FW: City of Carlsbad flag request -----Original Message----- From: John Forester <johnforester7@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 12:25 PM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: City of Carlsbad flag request Dear council, I would like to apply/request the city of Carlsbad fly an Italian flag for the month of august and a dog flag the month of February. Please let me know how to move forward with your process. Kind regards, John Forester Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Manager Internet Email Tuesday, July 11, 2023 12:57 PM City Clerk Subject: FW: I Agree with Ms. Burkholder Related to Item #15 From: Brenda Taylor <brentaylor4444@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 11:57 AM To: Manager Internet Email <Manager@CarlsbadCA.gov> Subject: I Agree with Ms. Burkholder Please fly all flags, not just a chosen few. B. Taylor La Mesa CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: KMurphy <kmsally@aol.co m> Tuesday, July 11 , 2023 1 :09 PM City Clerk Opposition to Agenda Item 15 Dear Carlsbad City Council members, Although I am not a Carlsbad resident, I spend a great deal of time enjoying the parks, beaches, restaurants and fantastic genealogy library in Carlsbad. I wish to express my concerns regarding today's agenda item 15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS. I am very much in favor of the Pride Flag as it has been discussed. However, I am strongly opposed to Council Member Burkholder's request to fly commemorative flags. I see this as a deliberate diversion strategy to keep the Intersectional Pride Flag from flying. This long list of flags cannot possibly reflect the Carlsbad community at large; the number of flags on this list does not hide the intent of the request. The Council either supports ALL of these groups in Item 15 or it doesn't. Flying the Pride Flag is a statement that the Carlsbad community supports and invites all Pride activities and LGBTQ residents and visitors. If this City Council DOES support flying the Pride Flag, then move forward with it. "The List" of flags on Agenda Item 15 should be rejected. It is a separate issue all together from the Pride Flag. I hope to spend many more days and weeks in Carlsbad. I do not support any flags which promote violence or hate. "The List" should not to be considered as is. One flag should be requested at a time. That way there would be a true representation of the views of Carlsbad residents. Kathy Murphy Solana Beach CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Dear Carlsbad City Council, Dale Burchby <dale.burchby@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 1 :38 PM City Clerk Show respect and judgment when discussing agenda item 15, Flag Requests I urge the Council to conduct a thoughtful discussion and to establish a considerate policy regarding which flags to fly in support of positive causes and points of view. The resulting guidance should reflect the vision of civic engagement expressed in Carlsbad's Community Vision.This will guide future decisions regarding which flc;1gs to fly. I respectfully suggest that selection criteria include a positive vision, inclusivity for residents who are marginalized, and avoidance of messaging that is hateful or hurtful. The flags should be selected from more than just the US or CA flags because the city should express positive points of view that support its breadth of citizens and causes. I cannot tell whether Council Member Burkholder's list of flags submitted for this agenda item reflects ignorance or a deliberate attempt to sabotage what needs to be a calm and respectful discussion. Certainly a pe rson of judgment should be able to discern and reject out of hand many ofthe listed flags as not conveying positive, inclusive messages, and others as sending hateful hurtful messages. We as citizens and Carlsbad as a community have an opportunity to do so much better. Regards, Dale Burchby CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you reco nize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: i ! I I Caryn Hoffman < hoffmancaryn@gmail.com > Tuesday, July 11, 2023 1 :45 PM City Clerk Item 15 on tonight's City Council Mtg I wish to express my concerns regarding agenda item 15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS, which was brought forward by Council member Burkholder. When the council voted 3-2 in favor of flying the lntersectional Pride Flag, it was my understanding that the purpose of this motion was to utilize government speech in City Hall as a reflection of the City's own message, rather than transforming the flagpoles into public forums. The lntersectional Pride Flag holds global recognition and is flown in various locations, illustrating the interconnections between soci.al categorizations such as race, class, and gender. It represents the notion of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. However, the flags proposed by Burkholder represent personal opinions, activities, countries, white supremacy, and singular identities that do not align with the City's intended messaging. It is essential to clarify that the lntersectional Pride Flag should not be equated with the Confederate flag. These two symbols carry vastly different meanings and implications. I am disappointed by Council member Burkholder's lack of decorum and failure to act in the best interests of Carlsbad by including flags that should have been rejected outright. It is disheartening to see a request for the Confederate flag being part of Carlsbad's public record. Is this the reputation we wish Carlsbad or any city in our fair county to be associated with? Please vote NO oli this motion. Respectfully, 1 Caryn Hoffman, Chula Vista, CA 2 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Council Internet Email Tuesday, July 11, 2023 1:47 PM City Clerk FW: City Council Meting, July/11 -Item #15: REQUEST TO FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS From: Lana Black <1anab99@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 1:29 PM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: City Council Meting, July/11 -Item #15: REQUESTT(?_ FLY COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS I am a taxpayer, and a long-time resident of Carlsbad. Hopefully, my voice and opinion matters! For the welfare of our City and all of its residents, Only 2 flags {American and Californian flags) should be flown over our Carlsbad City Hall! Any other flags people choose, can be placed on the owners' private properties, if desired. But ONLY AMERICAN and CALIFORNIA flags should be placed on the City Hall's property! Kind regards, ~ Lana Black {650} 703-7733 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless ize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Council Internet Email Tuesday, July 11, 2023 1 :54 PM City Clerk Subject: FW: Flags From: Teri House <terihouse513@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 1:53 PM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Flags Make a flag policy. Two flags. USA AND CA CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: -----Original Message----- Council Internet Email Tuesday, July 11, 2023 1 :54 PM City Clerk FW: Flag Policy From: Ruby Belt <roobsbelt@icloud.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 11:29 AM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov>; Keith Blackburn <Keith.Blackburn@carlsbadca.gov>; Melanie Burkholder <Melanie.Burkholder@carlsbadca.gov>; Carolyn Luna <Carolyn.Luna@carlsbadca.gov>; Priya Bhat-Patel <Priya.Bhat-Patel@carlsbadca.gov>; Teresa Acosta <Teresa.Acosta@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Flag Policy Dear City Council Members, I hope this email finds you well and that you guys are enjoying summer thus far. I am writing to express my trouble regarding the recent proposal to raise the Confederate flag at City Hall. As a member of the Carlsbad community, I strongly believe that it is imperative to foster an environment of un ity, inclusivity, and respect for all residents. Raising flags such as the marijuana flag, the confederate flag, the God bless America flag, the NRA flag, the straight awareness flag, and other do not build a unified community in this city. Just by hearing of the suggestions of flags listed I was deeply alarmed and knew I had to do something. As a Christian in this community, I was especially alarmed to hear that the Christian flag was suggested. I do not believe this is constitutional. The Confederate flag carries a complex historical significance that is heavily intertwined with the painful legacy of slavery, racial discrimination, and division in the United States. Its display is associated with hate, racism, and oppression. As a community we should not be honoring flags that resemble hate and discrimination. We should bridge and foster uplifting safe communities respecting one another. Raising the Confederate flag at a public institution like City Hall sends a message that can be hurtful and exclusionary to many members of our community. It may create an environment that feels unwelcoming, especially to individuals who have experienced the effects of racism and discrimination firsthand. Our city should strive to be a place where al l residents feel respected, valued, and included, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, or background. Thank you for you time. I encourage you to listen to those who are reach ing out and expressing their concerns and troubles. These flags do not create or show a safe environment to our community. I appreciate your work and effort at the city level. Kindly, Ruby Belt CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: Heidi Meyer <heidicm3@gmail.com> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 2:02 PM City Clerk comment commemorative flags request ,,,,.. All Receive -Agenda Item # /.:::, For the Information of the: yllY COUNCIL Date rJ//~/Z3CA _ CC V CM _ACM_ DCM (3) _ I would like to submit a comment on council member Burkholder's recent flag proposal. I would posit that this proposal is less about multiple flags, and more about one specific flag, the pride flag; it is less about representing Burkholder's constituents and more about maligning the lgbtq community. I would ask Burkholder why she finds the pride flag so offensive and harmful. It was created after decades of lgbtq oppression. It was created after years of shaming and inequality. It has only been eight years that people in the lgbtq community have had their marriages legally recognized, and many rights in housing and employment are still being questioned. Whether Burkholder likes it or not, 5 to 7 percent of the world population is lgbtqia+; 5 to 7 percent of the population she chose to serve is lgbtqia+. They deserve to have a family portrait on their desks at their places of employment; their children deserve to talk about their "moms" or "dads" at school; they deserve to be represented fairly by city council members; and, they deserve to be proud! I find it insulting that Burkholder is choosing to passive aggressively attack a marginalized group (using other groups to do it! I question if all the groups whose flags have been suggested asked for this representation?) by recommending a list of random flags purposely flown to bury the flag that offends her. Burkholder, the pride flag is not harmful. It represents love, inclusion, and the absence of shame-three things you might consider acquiring. Sincerely, Heidi Meyer, Carlsbad district 3, 92011 CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content i safe. 1 Ta mmy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Subject: -----Original Message----- Council Internet Email Tuesday, July 11, 2023 3:25 PM City Clerk FW: Burkholder Flag Proposal From: Pixel <pixel.clark@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 3:02 PM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Burkholder Flag Proposal Hello, I have been a Carlsbad resident nearly my whole life, and I have never been more ashamed of one of our council members. Melanie Burkholders flag proposal is an absolute nonissue, and mocks the marginalized communities that reside here. It is disgusting that she believes flying the NRA/Confederate flag, flags known to carry extremely racist/unsafe implications, is even remotely comparable to flying the Pride flag. The Pride flag is a symbol of safety, equality, and acceptance. The Confederate flag is a disgusting reminder of our country's racist past and it is shameful to fly it as though we as US citizens should be proud of it. The NRA flag is a symbol.of terrorism, it represents those who truly do not care for the lives and safety of others, but only their ability to shoot those whom they are disgusted by dead . Do not fly these flags. It is harmful to our communities and it is a slap in the face to our children, to our black community, to those who have been affected by gun violence, to our LGBTQia+ community, and to anybody else who has a moral compass. Melanie Burkholder, you should be ashamed and disgµsted with yourself. You are not for the people, you are for the oppression of those different than yourself at your own benefit and are not fit to fill any position of power. -Pixel Clark CAUTION : Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Sent: To: Council Internet Email Tuesday, July 11, 2023 3:46 PM City Clerk Subject: FW: Flags -----Original Message----- From: Christine Smoczynski <CHRIS_ENHLS@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 3:37 PM To : Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Flags Please! Only 2 flags should be flown. We all know what happens when 1 group asks and receives pe rmission to fly 'their' flag. How many flags can a flag pole hold!!!!? Looks like Carlsbad will soon find out •• Long time Carlsbad resident Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Council Internet Email Sent: To: Wednesday, July 12, 2023 7:52 AM City Clerk Subject: FW: Item #15 request to fly commemorative flags From: Amy Andrews <amyandrewsis@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 7:31 PM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Item #15 request to fly commemorative flags Please allow 2 flags only. The state of CA and the American Flag. That is SIMPLE And Fair for ALL. Amy Andrews 3399 Corte Panorama Carlsbad CA CAUTION: Do not o en attachments or click on links unless ou recognize the sender and know the content i 1 Tammy Cloud-McMinn From: Council Internet Email Sent: To: Wednesday, July 12, 2023 11 :11 AM City Clerk Subj ect: FW: Silly pride flag -----Original Message----- From: Miguel Gonzalez <magonzo1550@icloud.com> · Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2023 10:58 AM To: Council Internet Email <CityCouncil@carlsbadca.gov> Subject: Silly pride flag If yall are gonna fly silly pride flag i humbly ask that u fly Trump flag as well That is .the only fai r thing to do Not eve ryone aprooves of the homosexual agenda. Sent from my iPhone CAUTION : Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. 1