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Remove your flag!
June 29, 2009 - 5:25pm
TYLER-July 4th is just a few days away and to observe the holiday many East Texans decorate their homes and businesses with red, white and blue. But after one East Texas man did just that the city of Tyler is now telling him to take it down.
Cutter's Equipment is a small local business in Tyler who wanted to show off their patriotism. So they bought a flag display. But almost as fast as they put it up, the city asked for them to take it down.
They put up the display last week and just a few days later general manager Kevin Lewis said he was served a notice stating he was violating city codes and to take it down.
According to the notice he was handed, the display violates a section of the city code which states that any sign that's flashing, fluttering, undulating, swinging, rotating, or otherwise moving is prohibited.
But Lewis says there's no way he's taking it down.
"I think it's a violation of our rights to be able to fly an American flag," Lewis said.
So what's the cities response? Barbara Holly with Planning and Zoning says it's not a flag.
"It doesn't have the right number of stars or stripes," Holly said.
Officials say the display is also distracting to drivers.
But the question still remains, are these flags really a violation of city code or are they just an innocent July 4th decoration?
this is just sooooooooooooo stupid. i think they guy should keep them up and to heck with the city. It does not matter if it is a real flag or not. What matters is what it stands for is all that matters. I think the ignorant council people of tyler should be spending their time on things that really matter. if not for the people who have fought and are fighting then the would would not be free. Instead of wasting time on this, get out from your desk and go do some real work. It is time we as people start standing behind what is right in this world and quit letting those people who just set and think of stupid junk tell us what we can and can not do. THIS IS A FREE NATION.... STAND UP FOR IT AND BE PROUD AND BE THANKFUL FOR THE ONES THAT WERE AND ARE WILLING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY... GOD GAVE IT TO US TO PROTECT NOT DESTROY, AND BEING WITH THAT KIND OF THINKING LIKE TYLER COUNCIL IS WHY ALL THEY ARE DOING TO TRY AND DESTROY OUR FREEDOMS. REMEMBER IT ON ELECTION DAY!!!!!
beck
7 months agoI agree that an exception to "fluttering" should be made for the American flag under Tyler's city code, but I can't help but wonder, where were all you people when this code was adopted? I'm sure there was a public comment period before the council adopted this. Get involved in the process BEFORE things like this are adopted instead of reacting AFTER it's law.
Reality
8 months agoALL YOU UN-PATRIOTIC IDIOTS THAT AGREE WITH STUPID CITY ORDINANCES AND DISAGREE WITH THE FLAGS,BANNERS,ETC, NEED TO BE ON THE FRONT LINES IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN FOR A FEW WEEKS,AND SOME STUPID ORDINANCE WOULDN'T MEAN JACKCRAP TO YOU!!!
WHETHER IT IS FOR ATTRACTION TO THE BUSINESS,PUBLICITY,ADVERTISING,WHO CARES PEOPLE!!!!!! THIS IS AMERICA,AND IF IT IS RED WHITE AND BLUE,WITH STARS AND STRIPES IT WOULDN'T MATTER IF IT WAS ON A MULE'S BUTT...IF THERE IS ANY PATRIOTISM EFFORT BEHIND IT...SO BE IT!!!!LET IT FLY!!!!
JMO
8 months agoI don't think the city should ask this business take these down, but I don't think they should be referred to as "The Flag" (as in "The American Flag"), either. They are eye-catching decor meant to attract people to your business. They happen to be red, white and blue, which implies patriotism. But it's not as though the city is telling the business not to fly the American flag.
Carrie Brantley
8 months agoCutters keep flying your flags.. By showing your support to the men and women who have been over seas and still is, is letting them know you are thankful for their actions and how proud you are to be an American. City of Tyler should have nothing to say, If I can recall City of Tyler has their Azalea Trail Craft show every year at the park on BROADWAY at the red light and they want to talk about destration. I will never understand City Of Tyler
Paula
8 months agoKeep the flags or banners flying...this is our way of showing we care and we are americans....I cant believe the city of tyler would stoop so low.....what about these digital billboards????..Or the bums we have floating around this pretty little city of ours?...You are worried about a man and his company that pays his taxes and gives a great service to this county?..Get a life..look into things that are really a problem for Tyler, Tx.
Mr.D
8 months agoGood Gosh!! Does Tyler "Government" not have anything else to do with their time? This is our freedom to wave our American Flag. To stand up for what we believe in. I can't stand people who try to "infringe" on our freedoms just because they feel it bothers them. This is just like the no prayer in schools. Everyone needs to get a life and stop this nonsense!! This company should NOT take down the flags and as far as I'm concerned keep them flying and fly them proudly!!!
dirkfan2
8 months agoI believe that this merchant should have the right to display his "flags" to show his patriotism. If the flags are distracting drivers, it is not the merchant's fault... It's the DRIVER's fault! Drivers should keep their eyes on the road and on other drivers, instead of looking at the fluttering flags or blinking signs. It's not right that people have to suffer because of the few who can't drive and get distracted by something so simple. And, I couldn't count the start on these "flags", but I did count the stripes and there are 13 there. The city council lady obviously can't count!
Mrs. Shelton
8 months agoHaving been a military brat and stationed overseas and having all of your AMERICAN rights stripped away, Cutters Stand firm and fly our colors proudly!!
Ash
8 months agoHe's not showing "patriotism" - he's using patriotism as an advertising gimmick. He's not flying 1 flag, he's flying several. And look at that, it got him on tv!
He's making a buck & getting attention off of other folk's emotions. That's another reason the ordinance is in place - so this wonderful flag & what it represents won't be exploited.
Parker
8 months agoPost new comment