LAC LA BICHE - It’s been over 11 weeks since the Russian forces invaded Ukraine, and for the hundreds of Ukrainian community members in Lac La Biche County and across the Lakeland, finding ways to show solidarity from thousands of kilometres away is important during this difficult time, says Lac La Biche County Deputy Mayor Colette Borgun.
Recently, residents expressed a desire to hang Ukrainian flags or banners throughout the community to show support for the crisis facing the nation, she explained.
“I felt that that was a good way for us to show our support,” said Borgun, suggesting the municipality purchase several printed banners displaying the green and yellow markings of Ukraine’s national flag.
Municipal councils and local groups across the Lakeland, including in St. Paul, Boyle and Bonnyville, have taken part in displaying Ukrainian flags or banners throughout the communities, which recognizes how the unfolding crisis hits close to home for many in surrounding areas, said Borgun.
The councillor’s suggestion would see the banners attached to the municipal streetlights at the primary intersections along the Main Streets in the hamlets of Lac La Biche and Plamondon.
“We already have the hooks on our,” streetlights she added. “I would really like to see that happening in both hamlets.”
Support for the war through banners shows solidarity while also validating the request of members in the community who seek to recognize the war, said Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov.
“I think definitely the support is there, and banners are very tasteful and clean.”
While Borgun noted potentially displaying four in the hamlet of Lac La Biche and two in the hamlet of Plamondon, county council approved up to $1,000 to be spent from the municipality’s reserve fund to purchase banners within the limit. Each banner has a cost of approximately $70 to produce.
