Showing its pride

West Hants council to commemorate Halifax Pride by flying rainbow flag for first time

A brightly-coloured rainbow flag will soon be hoisted outside the West Hants municipal office building to honour Pride Week.

Coun. Jennifer Daniels requested in June that council consider showing its support for the summertime festival that recognizes and celebrates the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

On July 10, council voted unanimously to hoist the flag in conjunction with Halifax’s celebrations. The rainbow flag has long been associated with gay pride.

Halifax Pride runs from July 19-29, with the city’s flag raising ceremony on July 19 and the parade on July 21.

This year marks the first time a rainbow pride flag will fly at the municipal office at 76 Morison Dr., located in the Windsor-West Hants Industrial Park.

Coun. Robbie Zwicker asked if the public works building in Hantsport could also fly a rainbow flag, and council agreed.

The only question about the initiative came from Coun. Randy Hussey, who wanted staff to look into getting two additional flag poles erected outside so that the municipality wouldn’t need to remove the Canadian flag during Pride week.

“It’s not a budgeted expense,” replied Martin Laycock, the chief administrative officer during the meeting.

Warden Abraham Zebian noted other areas “just replace the Canadian flag” to celebrate.

Council voted unanimously in favour of the motion to hoist the rainbow flag annually. To learn more about what events and workshops are planned for the Halifax Pride festival, visit:

Custody for impaired driving

A Kentville man will spend some time in custody in relation to impaired driving offences.

Alexander Gerd Angerman, 49, appeared in Kentville provincial court July 9 for sentencing on operating a motor vehicle while his blood- alcohol levels exceeded the legal limit and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

The offences occurred in Kentville on Feb. 19. Angerman entered guilty pleas prior to the sentencing.

Angerman was ordered to serve 90 days in custody, on a concurrent and intermittent basis for each charge, on weekends until the time is served. In addition, Angerman must complete an 18- month period of probation and pay a $200 victim surcharge fine for each count.

A four-year ban from operating a motor vehicle was previously imposed.

An additional charge of impaired driving causing bodily