To the Editor:
We Barrheadians, taxpayers, friends, family, coworkers are the individuals that make Barrhead the town that it is! Through multiple viewpoints, experiences, history, and origins, the town of Barrhead is formed. Not just by streets, and buildings but by the people of the past, present and future that live in it. We are the people, we are not just a town!
When we look at this beautiful town we see “one” standing together. We look at our houses and businesses and see the individuals that make this town unique.
Let us look to the Bakery, Fields, and the Dollarama and all the other places that make accessibility for all a priority. These considerations show that we the citizens of Barrhead care. We care about the seniors by the multiple programs offered, and variety of senior homes and living options available. We see the programs set out for persons with disabilities and acknowledge the efforts make to have woven into our community. Our people love Barrhead! I stand in awe of the generosity that is shown.
Our town provides parks, walking paths, seasonal decor, freshly planted flowers, and summer programs for children and much more. Heck, even when we had to limit our water use in summer when it was too hot, they offer free swimming at the Barrhead swimming pool. We are so blessed.
We are blessed by the beautiful town, and the incredible management. I imagine it is a pretty tiring job, but here at Barrhead the job is done, so thank you!
On the contrary, when I look to Main Street I see “logos” and chipping paint. I see four crosswalks in the center and two to three at the ends of Main Street. I think to myself this cannot possibly be the representation of Barrhead. We have so many other people and so little crosswalks. Currently, all I see are two chipping crosswalks in the center of the main street and an extremely faded one by the town building. This doesn’t beautify our town, it has the opposite effect. It creates division. We shouldn’t be defined by our sexuality, our ability or inability; we the people of Barrhead are much more. A sidewalk or flag could never summarize who we are, and we should never allow it to! Our roots, history, experiences and who we are go much deeper.
The Neutrality bylaw was set out by people who love this community and the people in it. They are not bigots or ignorant people. They are people who want everybody to be included and elevated equally and not just individual groups. Is that such a bad thing? I certainly think that most would agree that it indeed, is not.
The Neutrality bylaw doesn’t prohibit the town decor for occasion but merely points out that we should not be elevating any selected group. We should be unified by our love of this town and the people in it. On private land both personal and business the Neutrality bylaw allows you express your personal views however you would like. We, the taxpaying citizens, are able to have neutral spaces on the town-owned land. Everybody is welcome, just please leave the paint and flags for your own house, and not our streets.
Let us step back and see the beauty that our town already provides. Stand in awe of what already is. Those freshly painted white and yellow stripes that last. Let’s look up to the blue heron and see the true representation of Barrhead and know that we all are one.
When we vote YES to the Neutrality bylaw we vote for a unified town. My friends, get out and make you voice known. Get out and vote for equality and neutrality. Vote, Vote, vote!
Briana Warkentin
Town of Barrhead