Students present plan for town flag to Lubec selectmen

Standing tall and speaking confidently, three representatives of the Lubec Consolidated School seventh-grade class addressed the selectmen's meeting on April 28. Emma Page, Seth Doherty and Robert Wallace presented their proposed town flag and asked the selectmen to "put the acceptance of a Town of Lubec flag on the warrant for the August town meeting." They explained that the project had begun over a year ago with discussions with Ron Pesha, a member of the Lubec Bicentennial Committee.
Principal Peter Doak explained separately that the students raised money for the initial phase of the project by putting on bake sales, resulting in the display version of the flag, which is not intended to be flown. The Lions Club, Doak said, funded the purchase of a functional version; both were shown to the selectmen.
Emma Page explained that the imagery on the flag "represents West Quoddy Lighthouse and also the sunrise and sunset, which signifies Lubec as the easternmost point and the place where the sun rises and sets on not only our state, but our country."
Seth Doherty expressed the group's appreciation for the assistance provided by Lubec Town Administrator John Sutherland in detailing the process by which the flag may be granted official status. He added that they understand that, if it meets the approval of the voters at the annual town meeting, they will need to present it to the state legislature in Augusta for a vote to finalize the process.
Robert Wallace asked for the selectman's endorsement of their request to be included in the town warrant and expressed gratitude to the Lions Club for their support and also that of others who assisted in the project.
Chairman William Daye thanked the students for their presentation and acknowledged the work that had gone into the flag and their evening's efforts. He then suggested that if there were to be a town flag, "I feel strongly that the town should be able to make suggestions, not just one small group." Daye observed that the matter should be put before the voters in August before any decisions are made, adding, "What we decide will be here for the next 200 years."
Sara McConnell, chairwoman of the bicentennial committee, pointed out that it was the committee's plan, as well as that of the students, to "unroll the flag at the birthday party," in July. Vice Chairman Joanne Case observed, "We should stand behind the kids and their flag." Selectman Carlton Leighton replied, "Bill [Daye] has the right idea. Let the town decide."
At that point, Daye spoke directly to the students, reminding them, "You are watching the democratic process at work."
In a follow-up interview, Ron Pesha described the origins of the flag project, observing that the idea came from the students and that his role was only that of an advisor. He related how, in early 2010, he approached the students, with whom he has worked for a number of years, to see if they were interested in participating in the bicentennial in some way. During that meeting, Pesha said, Emma Page asked, "Does Lubec have a flag?" From that point on, according to Pesha, the students took over management of the project, resulting in the flag that was presented to the selectmen. The student group also included Stephanie Wright and Austin Serrato, who were not present at the selectmen's meeting.