GONZALES — City leaders in Gonzales are looking into a formal process for observing the deaths of community members who have contributed to their city.
The discussion was pitched during the April 19 Gonzales City Council meeting, with direction given to city staff to research flag-lowering protocols and other options in time for the council’s May 15 strategic session.
“Unfortunately, over the last several months, we have been having a lot of the illustrious great residents and citizens of our community pass away,” said City Manager Rene Mendez, while describing the background for the recognition and honoring policy.
Mendez said with so many recent deaths, the city has received requests to lower the flag. While lowering the U.S. flag to half-staff is typically a determination of the president or governor, the city could consider use of a city flag to honor such prominent residents.
According to Mendez, a policy is on the books for the naming of buildings and such sites as parks, the result of the Vosti Center’s naming. There is also a tradition to observe a moment of silence either at the beginning or end of council meetings, and some residents have been recognized through resolutions passed by the council.
Former mayor Maria Orozco emailed a public comment, criticizing the recent lowering of the U.S. flag for a deceased community paragon, and said the council should have discussed it before taking place.
“The perception in the community now is it can be lowered for anybody who passes who has made a significant contribution to the city simply by requesting it,” Orozco said.
Mayor Jose Rios said he initially brought up that flag-lowering request and that he did get some complaints.
“If we don’t remember our past, our future cannot be that bright,” Rios said.
He added that the city needs to not only cherish exemplary individuals, but also set them up as examples for future leaders who might emulate them.
“It behooves us as a community to recognize those folks who contributed greatly to our community,” he said. “That’s why I brought this initial request forward.”
Councilmember Liza Silva suggested the council use part of its strategic session time to come up with criteria for contributions to the community for deceased individuals to be honored and have it in place so they can be recognized in a timely manner, as well as have a time limit for gestures, such as flag lowering.
“Because these things happen unexpectedly, most times, time is of the essence,” Silva said. “… It’s to honor them and not to disgrace anything or anyone.”
Councilmember Paul Miller added, “A lot of those icons of our communities are getting older. It would be great if we could come up with a policy.”
Councilmember Scott Funk suggested the idea of using a city flag to lower for two or three days, then after that duration giving the city flag to the family of the honored individual.
The strategic session is scheduled to include department overviews as well as sharing of projects in progress with timelines, such as the microgrid and wastewater treatment plant. The location has yet to be determined, as Mendez noted Covid restrictions prevent a large in-person gathering, and the need to broadcast the meeting limits where it can take place for technical reasons.
