The Parkside Demolition Derby organizers are hoping something positive can come of the controversy regarding the use of the confederate flag on their auction car. The vehicle is a replica of the General Lee from the famous TV series Dukes of Hazard. (Parkside Demolition Derby/Facebook)

By Glenn Hicks

fundraising faux pas

Parkside club plans response to car controversy

Jul 25, 2019 | 12:43 PM

They’re not revealing much, but members of the Parkside Community Club say they have a special surprise planned for Saturday’s annual Demolition Derby fundraiser in light of the controversy surrounding their auction car.

On Tuesday the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) was forced to distance itself from the vehicle once it learned it had a confederate flag on its roof and saw online criticism to a promotional tweet sent out by Premier Scott Moe. That flag is true to the replica the club has prepared of the “General Lee” car that was the focus of the popular TV series Dukes of Hazard in the late 1970s and 80s. The CMHA was chosen as this year’s beneficiary of the very successful annual fundraiser but reacted to the Twitter concerns regarding a symbol that is associated with racism and bigotry. The CMHA said it was a “hate” flag. The club insists it meant no offence.

While the club has imposed a media black-out until Saturday, spokesman Kerry Peterson told paNOW on Thursday they have something planned.

“The club has got a black-out as far as interviews until Saturday and there’s a big announcement then at around 1 p.m. at the time of the car auction,” he said. “If you want to know more, come to the event.”

The car is auctioned to the highest bidder as one of the key parts of the fundraiser and the winner gets to take it for a spin.

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When paNOW spoke with the CMHA earlier this week they hadn’t had a chance to speak with the club about the unwanted flag but had suggested there could be an option to have the words ‘Canadian Mental Health Association’ removed from the car’s trunk.

paNOW contacted CMHA Thursday but they would not offer further comment at this time. The club also did not want to give away any details on the possibility of some sort of redress.

“That’ll be part of our announcement regarding what, if anything we have done. That’ll all come out on Saturday afternoon,” Peterson said. “We’re sure hoping it’s positive; that’s what this whole event is about. Come out Saturday and see what the Parkside Community Club has come up with.”

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow