CLEARLAKE — The Clearlake City Council presented a proclamation Feb. 23 to Taira St. John, of the Clear Lake Counseling Center, designating June 22 through Sept. 22 as the “Summer of Peace” and Sept. 21 as “International Day of Peace” in Clearlake.
While the council expressed appreciation for the center”s efforts to organize this county-wide event, it denied St. John”s request for a $5,000 donation. It did, however, express interest in working with St. John to install a peace pole at Austin Park. The peace pole will likely be 8-feet tall and could be eight- or 16-sided. It would host a message of peace in multiple languages.
Area resident Herb Gura suggested using a local artist to construct the pole.
The proclamation presented by the council reads as follows:
“WHEREAS, the issue of peace embraces the deepest hopes of all peoples and remains humanity”s guiding inspiration; and
“WHEREAS, in 1981, the United Nations proclaimed the International Day of Peace ”to be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples;” and expanded the observance in 2001 to include the call for a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, inviting all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities; and
“WHEREAS, global crises and the need for safety, prosperity and quality of life impel all citizens to work toward converting humanity”s noblest aspirations for peace into a practical reality for present and future generations; and
“WHEREAS, the Summer of Peace in Lake County will provide its residents an opportunity to experience and demonstrate the many facets of peace through educational, artistic, theatrical, spiritual, physical and mental health programs, classes, workshops, media productions, food and environmental programs for sustainable clean and healthy food, water and air for all; and will inspire adults and youth to pursue creative, non-violent approaches to solving differences; and
“WHEREAS, public, private and non-profit organizations will collaborate to celebrate the Summer of Peace 2012, culminating in the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, 2012;
“NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Clearlake does hereby proclaim June 22 to Sept. 22 as the Summer of Peace and Sept. 21 as the International Day of Peace in Clearlake and urges our community to observe and participate in the activities, all in accord with the universal wish for peace on earth and goodwill toward man, throughout the U.S. and the world.”
Volunteers to assist with the effort are being sought. For more information, email St. John at saintjohnt@mchsi.com or visit the website at www.lakecountysummerofpeace.com.
