Sault councillors want to talk about Dolly Parton

Ward 3 Coun. Angela Caputo will introduce two resolutions at Monday's city council meeting.

One urges that Sault Ste. Marie enroll in country music legend Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

The nonprofit initiative was inspired by Parton's father, a farmer who was unable to read or write.

The other resolution asks that a bridge on the city's Hub Trail system be designated as the Sault's Rainbow Bridge – a place where tags of beloved departed pets could be displayed.

Here are the full texts of Caputo's two resolutions.

Monday's city council meeting will be live-streamed on SooToday starting at 5 p.m.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Mover: Coun. A. Caputo
Seconder: Coun. R. Zagordo

Whereas Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income and was recently expanded to included Canadian cities; and

Whereas the Government of Canada website states that removing barriers to literacy would greatly improve all children’s chances at success, encourage children to take more initiative, have higher self esteem, stretch their imagination, and show that books are an important way to get information; and

Whereas supporting this initiative aligns with the corporate strategic goal to promote quality of life advantages within our youngest demographic; and

Whereas investing in our youth is a key to continued growth within our community that will have positive impacts on our citizens for generations;

Now therefore be it resolved that staff review and complete the process of enrolling the City of Sault Ste Marie in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library;

Further it be resolved that staff seek a possible partnership with not for profit organization(s) to help finance this initiative.

Rainbow Bridge proposal

Mover: Coun. A. Caputo
Seconder: Coun. S. Spina

Whereas pets and pet owners are among some of the most avid users of our outdoor amenities and walking trails; and

Whereas our pets play a vital role in the family dynamic in many households; and

Whereas memorializing our loved ones is an important tradition that provides many with closure and peace; and

Whereas "Crossing The Rainbow Bridge" is a widely used term associated with the passing of a beloved pet;

Now therefore be it resolves that staff be requested to report back to council on dedicating a bridge within the Hub Trail system as “The Rainbow Bridge”. This bridge will be adorned with a plaque reading The Rainbow Bridge poem and will be equipped to allow citizens to hang their departed pet’s tags to memorialize them, while granting their owner’s a spot to fondly remember them.