Council learns Pagan Pride Day is canceled

Although she was allotted two minutes to speak during the public session, Darla Wynne used less than a minute last Monday night to inform Great Falls town council of a decision to cancel Pagan Pride Day.

The proposed event was scheduled to take place in Great Falls Sept. 27.

"With the most recent violence and not because of a letter to the editor or council's actions, I recommended Pagan Pride Day not be held in Great Falls," Wynne said.

Wynne, a coordinator of the event, said she felt tensions from the recent disturbance might possibly carry into the pagan event.

Wynne also suggested to council a diversity committee including various colors and religions be formed.

"There are deeper problems that need to be healed and focused on," Wynne said.

Councilman Glenn Ross chimed in and said he had hundreds of signatures on petitions of people who were against Pagan Pride Day.

"I submit to you God was looking over the balcony of heaven and He did not like what He saw," Ross said. "He had His book of remembrance open and He'll remember the ones who stood up and the ones who did not. This is why we're not having this. It was God's decision."

Ross also said he felt council as a body had failed the people by not taking a stand against the event.

Wynne, visibly upset, laughed aloud.

"You are so out of it, Mr. Ross," she said.

Wynne said she would submit comments made by the councilman to her attorney to be included in her lawsuit against the town. She then left the meeting.

Councilman Mike Brunson said the town does not have an ordinance to stop interested individuals or groups from holding events on town property and he felt it would be beneficial for the town to have an ordinance stating any future events on town-owned property must come before council for approval.

The current ordinance, Town Attorney Brian Gibbons said, does not require individuals get a permit for festivities. To streamline future events, Gibbons suggested the town adopt a policy that will require citizens and patrons go through a permitting process through council.

Council agreed to give the attorney authority to draft such an ordinance.