SR mayor asks council to OK banners
SLIPPERY ROCK — Mayor Jondavid Longo appealed to members of borough council at Tuesday's meeting, asking them to support an effort to have veterans banners created for seasonal use.
“There's an ongoing conversation about having veterans banners created for town,” Longo said. “Ultimately the decision rests with you as the council.”
Longo said polls he conducted on social media found broad support for the initiative. On Facebook, 97 percent of 243 voters favored the banners and on Twitter, 94 percent of the 692 voters approved of the banners.
Some council members asked if the veterans banners were meant for year-round use, replacing the current Slippery Rock University banners.
Longo said the veterans banners would be hung during May and November, to support Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
“I would like to have the current (university) banners removed for a limited time to make way for these,” Longo said. “I do think there's room for this esteemed and distinguished group to be honored.”
Council member Itzi Meztli asked Longo who would be responsible for the seasonal swapping of the banners. Longo said he hoped the borough would take that responsibility and accept support from outside organizations that might want to take part.
“I support the mayor's veteran banner idea,” Meztli said.
Longo said fundraising efforts have already begun. He and employees from multiple breweries in Butler County volunteered for a dunk tank during North Country Brewing Co.'s Brewfest last weekend. The effort raised $600.
While involved in that effort, Longo said he has not and will not handle any of the fundraising proceeds, and he anticipates future efforts to be held by local veterans organizations.
“This is very much an effort put forth by private citizens,” Longo said of the fundraising work.
Longo said veterans banners would be a good way to begin collaborative efforts between the borough and the university.
“I feel like this is one of those things that we can get back to that small town USA feel by honoring our veterans,” Longo said.
