News-Info-Alerts

Re: Council Ensures POW-MIA Flags Will Fly

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: August 23, 2003

"Council ensures flags will fly over Lawrence
By: Lea Kahn , Staff Writer The Lawrence Ledger

Ordinance prevents association bans of official banners.

   Township Council introduced an ordinance Tuesday that would make it illegal for homeowners' associations to prohibit residents from displaying national and state flags, as well as yellow ribbons, from their homes.

   The ordinance says residents may fly the Stars and Stripes, the black and white Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag, the official flags of the branches of the U.S. military and the state flag. Residents also would be able to display a yellow ribbon in honor of American servicemen and servicewomen.
   The ordinance, which drew no comment from Township Council members on its introduction, was placed on the council's agenda at the request of Councilman Rick Miller.

   After the meeting, Mr. Miller said the ordinance grew out of a dispute in Hamilton Township involving a homeowners association that would not allow a couple to display the POW/MIA flag from their home.

   The homeowners association fined the couple for violating the development's rules. This week, the Hamilton Township Council adopted an ordinance that permits residents to display the national and state flags, as well as the POW/MIA flag and yellow ribbons.

   Mr. Miller said the ordinance was suggested to him by Republican Party candidates Robert Brackett — who is a U.S. Navy veteran — and Colette Coolbaugh and Victor Murray. They are running for three seats on Township Council. Mr. Miller is the only Republican on the council.

   "I am glad someone thought of it," Councilwoman Doris Weisberg said after the meeting. "It's the right thing to do. We don't need the hassle (of fighting with homeowners associations over the right to fly a flag)."