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Home My WebLink About07-16-25 Public Comment - J. Verreth - Oppose Pride FlagCustomer Submission #CS-25-960 Closed Created on July 16, 2025 by Jona Verreth | Closed on July 18, 2025 by Mike Maas Print Description Dear City Commissioners, I applaud Commissioner Fischer for his courage in voting against the Progress Pride flag and apperently being the only on with true respect and understanding for the American flag as well as our State flag. Unlike those flags, the pride flags divides our community, is a symbol of intolerance towards those who think dierently and promotes political views not everyone agrees with. Thank you commissioner Fischer for standing up for what is true and right. Attached my statement of why we all should be against flying the pride flag or any other flag on our community and tax payers buildings, which was sent in last weeks but did not receive a response to. This truly is a big step backwards in our community development. Customer Messages (1) Mike Maas 07/18/2025 11:36am Email Thank you for your public comment Assigned to Alex Newby Collaborator/s Mike Maas Due By 07/19/2025 Submission Age 2 Days Attachments 1 Customer Messages 0 Internal Comments 0 Tasks 0 Source Internal by Jona Verreth Category Public Comment Department Clerk's Office Customer Name Jona Verreth Customer Email jona.aimee@hotmail.com Cell Phone - 7/18/25, 11:38 AM about:blank about:blank 1/2 Good morning, Your submission has been received and will be distributed for review. Thank you, -- Mike Maas, MPA| City Clerk City of Bozeman | 121 N. Rouse Ave. | Bozeman, MT 59715 D: 406.582.2321 | C: 406.599.0804 This email is in reference to issue CS-25-960 (CRM-LjR08AhHP). In case of any queries, you can respond to this email and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Bozeman, MT 121 North Rouse Avenue , Bozeman, MT 59715 7/18/25, 11:38 AM about:blank about:blank 2/2 Dear City Commissioners, As a longtime resident of Bozeman, I urge you not to adopt the Progress Pride ﬂag as a symbol representing our city. We should not give in to a culture of fear or pressure. Just as no one would consider me hateful for choosing not to ﬂy the Stars and Stripes at my home, our city should not be labeled as intolerant for choosing to ﬂy only the American ﬂag. The American ﬂag already carries deep meaning—it represents the sacriﬁces made for freedom, unity, and equality. To add another ﬂag risks diminishing that signiﬁcance. The ﬂag of the United States stands for a nation that welcomes people of all backgrounds and beliefs. It symbolizes a place where individuals with differing opinions and identities can live together in peace. I was born and raised in Belgium before moving to Bozeman in 2005. Naturalized Belgians are a very small minority in this city. Yet, I would never expect or demand that Bozeman ﬂy the Belgian ﬂag to acknowledge people like me. The American ﬂag already represents inclusion—even for someone like me who came from another country. That is the power and beauty of it. Flying the American ﬂag communicates that this city values Jews, Christians, Muslims, atheists, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and people from all walks of life. It is a unifying symbol. Adding another banner beside it—even with good intentions—risks division and the unintentional exclusion of others. I hope Bozeman continues to be a place where all people are welcome under one ﬂag. Let the Stars and Stripes speak clearly for us all. Sincerely, Jona Verreth 407 Sanders Ave Bozeman, MT 59718