Council drops creation of Huntsville Coat of Arms

A majority of councillors have spoken. The Town of Huntsville will not move forward with the creation of a Heraldic Coat of Arms for the municipality, much to the dismay of Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison.

Readers will recall the initial story we brought you in April on the initiative, which pictured the first draft of the coat of arms. It was not well received by most. (You can find that story here.)

Teri Souter, Manager of Arts, Culture and Heritage for the Town, told council at its June 26 meeting that in conversations with the Chief Herald of Canada – who directs the operations of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and grants the coat of arms – and her assistant, it was pointed out that the feedback the municipality received in the process of creating the emblem was not unusual. That was something that was heartening to hear, added Souter.

She provided a brief history of the area in a report, which you can find here, and said that was the basis on which the Chief Herald and her team were to create the Town’s Heraldic Arms.

Souter also reminded those present that the model slogan which had been chosen, “With spirit and resolve,” is copyrighted by the municipality. “I did hear some disparaging comments about plagiarizing… and I’d just like to point out that that book (Huntsville: With Spirit and Resolve by Susan Pryke) is copyrighted by the Town of Huntsville,” she said, adding that the book was commissioned by the municipality.

Souter recommended that the municipality go back to the community “and see what the appetite is to move forward with this. I don’t see a down side with doing that. If we do nothing, then we will lose the funds that we’ve expended. If we consult with the public and then do nothing, then we will lose the same funds. But if we decide to move forward, we would, of course, come back to General Committee for direction.”

Councillor Nancy Alcock said she isn’t sure why the municipality is pursuing the creation of a Heraldic Arms. “I don’t see the point given other requests for dollars and I look at other needs that we have. I know it’s not a lot of money but you know, if we decide to go down that route it’ll be $5,000 and from my perspective I just don’t see the value of it.”

Mayor Scott Aitchison countered: “We’re doing it because in the budget process it was presented as an option and it was voted on, that’s why we’re doing it,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure that the public is aware that it wasn’t just some idea that Teri or I had and we stole money from some budget.” Alcock said that is not what she was suggesting and reiterated that for her it just isn’t a high priority.

Councillor Bob Stone said he isn’t prepared to spend any more staff time or money on the issue. “I think we should admit it as a mistake and move on.”

Deputy Mayor Karin Terziano said she did not know how public opinion would be pursued and how much time it would take and whether it is really worth it. Souter said in terms of consultation, the municipality has had success with online surveys and public meetings in the past. She also said that in conversation with the Chief Herald, she indicated that because “we were unhappy with the outcome, we can start over without starting to pay over again… so there is that option. It is of course up to council.”

Councillor Brian Thompson asked where the emblem would be used. Souter said it could be used for official Town business. Some of that business would best suit the Town’s existing logo, whereas other business might best suit a coat of arms. “For instance, if the Mayor was to give somebody a certificate of proclamation I would suggest that would be a very good place for the coat of arms to go.”

Thompson said the municipality has spent $875 so far and to follow through would be $5,000. “I guess I’m just wondering about the sense of it all. Would there be enough occasions where it would make sense and that kind of thing. I mean if somebody asked me the Coat of Arms of Canada, what’s on it, I couldn’t tell you. I really couldn’t.”

Councillor Jonathan Wiebe said his goal would be “to end this exercise at this point.”

Terziano asked for a recorded vote on whether to continue with the issue, which in the end was dropped by a vote of six to three. Here’s how the councillors voted: Brian Thompson: no; Jonathan Wiebe: no; Nancy Alcock: no; Dan Armour: no; Jason FitzGerald: yes; Det Schumacher: yes; Bob Stone: no; Deputy Mayor Karin Terziano: no; Mayor Scott Aitchison: yes.

Aitchison said he was disappointed with what they initially got, but said that cultural icons are important and “it’s too bad that it worked out the way it did.” You can see a clip of his comments below, followed by another council resolution instructing staff to inform the Chief Herald that the municipality will not be proceeding with the project.

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