By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Don Gephart says he has “no clue” what he will do with the $1,000 he receives for having the winning design chosen for a City of Decatur flag.
“But to me it wasn’t about the money, although that is nice,” he said. “I just wanted to give the city an option they would like and I would be proud of.”
City council made it official Tuesday, adopting a resolution to accept the design for a city flag.
“It’s been a process, for sure,” said Councilwoman Jenny Bowers-Shultz who originated the idea over a year ago.
She issued thanks to the people who submitted over 50 design entries in a contest held to determine the winner. Gephart’s design, she said, was selected unanimously by the public.
Mayor Dan Rickard thanked Gephart, who was out of town and unable to attend the meeting, “for such a fine design.”
PEACE: Gephart, a Decatur native and 1995 graduate of Bellmont High School, told WZBD.com that he wanted the flag “to have meaning. I’ve always believed that design had to have purpose. I quickly settled on the concept being based on peace.”
“It was important to Stephen Decatur, as his motto was ‘In Pursuit of Peace’. Tying to the Peace Monument was good as our leaders at the time knew how important peace was. It will be nice to see it flying around the city.”
Gephart said the Peace Monument on the courthouse square in Decatur was the first in the nation dedicated to peace.
He thanked the committee which chose his design – over 50 entries were whittled down to three finalists – noting: “It means the world to contribute something lasting to the place I’m proud to call home.”
Gephart said he probably had 20-30 hours of time working on the design, including research and concepts.
He has a graphic design degree and currently is the marketing manager for LiquidSpring, a company based in Lafayette.
Don and his wife, Melissa, reside in Monroe; they have a son, Peyton.
MEANING: Here is how he describes the flag:
“The flag design for the City of Decatur reflects a deep respect for tradition, a commitment to peace and a forward-looking vision rooted in civic pride.
“At the heart of the design is one large star, representing Decatur as the county seat and the largest city in Adams County. Surrounding the star are olive branches, drawn from the legacy of Stephen Decatur and the USS Decatur’s motto, ‘In Pursuit of Peace.’ These branches also reference the Peace Monument near the county courthouse which speak to Decatur’s enduring commitment to harmony and honor.
“Flanking the central star are three horizontal stripes, which represent the three U.S. highways that connect Decatur to the state and nation – a visual reminder of the city’s strategic importance and regional connectivity,
“Color also plays a critical role in conveying meaning. Gold is drawn directly from the Indiana state flag, linking Decatur to its state heritage while evoking excellence, prosperity, and honor. Blue represents loyalty, stability and tradition, whilec white symbolizes peace and a hopeful, bright future.
“This flag design is a proud, enduring banner worthy of the City of Decatur and the values it stands for.”
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