COURT HOUSE — The right to fly a flag, or a variation thereof, has taken on a life of its own as the owner of a local diner and the Middle Township government spar over what defines Old Glory.
George Fotakis, owner of the Four Seasons Diner in Rio Grande was asked by local officials to take down strings of pennants that were hung over the parking lot for the Fourth of July. A township ordinance states, “…Strings of banners…are prohibited.” When township officials asked that they be removed, Fotakis replaced them with strings of what were perceived to be American flags. And that’s where the battle begins.
According to a township ordinance, “Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to apply to the American flag. The American flag may be flown or displayed without limitation.”
“Our zoning officer determined that the streamers resembled American flags, but were not flags,” said Township Administrator Mark Mallett.
“I want to be very clear,” said Mallett. “There is no restriction in flying the flag in the township. We do not prohibit the flying of the American flag.”
“They were American flags,” said diner manager Linda Chambers. “He (code enforcement officer James Amenhouser) took them down.” Chambers alleges that the officer was so nasty to her that she suffered an asthma attack.
The township committee will be addressing the flag issue at its meeting on July 18.
“The committee will look at the ordinance,” said Mallett. “If it is archaic, then we will address it.” And in the meantime? “Middle Township supports residents and businesses flying the American flag,”
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