Thursday, April 07, 2011

Michigan Auto Shop's Massive U.S. Flag Runs Afoul of Town Rules, Sparks Controversy‏

An American flag is a traffic hazard?
"It has the distinction of being the biggest American flag in Meridian, Mich. -- and it's illegal.

Belle Tire's 8-by-12 flag, at 96 square feet, is nearly three times larger than what the township allows, and the company would like to upgrade to an even larger, 600-square-foot flag. Town ordinances prohibit flags of more than 35 square feet, such as a 5-by-7 flag.

The auto care company isn't shy about its love of American flags, which it displays at its various locations in Michigan. But the flag at its Meridian location sparked controversy in February when the town issued it a notice of violation, saying that it would be fined $75 a day if the oversize flag continued to fly.

The ordinance limiting the size of flags was created to address concerns that large flags could be a distraction for drivers or even block the line of sight on streets. Belle Tire is located on Grand River, a major four-lane road that sees 22, 000 cars a day.

Susan McGillicuddy, the township's supervisor, told the Lansing State Journal that she might exercise flexibility in this case, as long as they don't propose a traffic safety hazard. She cited the pole being far enough from the road as to not pose a safety issue.

Other stores have applied for super-size American flags in the township and been denied. In 2006, for example, Graff Chevrolet Dealership failed to win permission to fly a 300-square-foot flag outside its location in town.

Source

14 comments:

sig said...

I'd wager that if the flag had a crescent moon and star on it, it would be unanimously accepted regardless of its size.

Anonymous said...

yeah rite! Get real man!

Anonymous said...

Why would these business people be worried about complying with a town regulation that clearly violates the First Amendment?

Spurwing Plover said...

Then the town rule and stupid and the city officials should all just get lost and stay that way

Anonymous said...

Is a town ordinance that limits the size of ANY flag, or the size of ANY sign/billboard, within the city limits any more of a violation of the First Amendment than a noise ordinance that limits how LOUD something can be?

In the case of most noise ordinances, the law has NOTHING to do with the content of the speech, only how loud it is.

Anonymous said...

You want danger? Try making a right turn when giant palm trees block your view of traffic! At least an American flag doesn't get in the way.

Anonymous said...

In michiganstan, a crescent moon and star flag would be allowed no matter how big, the assholes running towns would be afraid of offending the cockroaches and would kiss their asses on national tv.

Anonymous said...

A few years ago Donald Trump, who happens to be VERY pro-American, had the same exact problem with the tight-ass liberals who run Palm Beach, FL. It seems The Donald had a "massive" American flag flying on his property which bothered said tight-asses. They took him to court for violating some town ordinance, AND THEY LOST!

Anonymous said...

Donald Trump has more money for lawyers than most town councils, your average car dealership doesn't...

Anonymous said...

So, just how big does a flag have to be before it gets in the way? And, just who will determine that? Because I have a bigger flag makes me a bigger patriot? At what point does being the biggest patriot make you an idiot?

I hear lots of so-called conservatives whine about how this ordinance and that law is unfair, unpatriotic, and unconstitutional. Have you looked at the ordinances in your town? I bet they all have limits on sizes of signs and flags, among other limitations. Instead of whining about all this, why don't you go and see about having them changed so they are compliant with your so-called conservative worldview. Go ahead and try getting an unrestricted sign and/or flag size ordinance. Good luck with that.

Boerne Storage Units said...

What is their purpose for displaying such a big flag is beyond my comprehension? If this is a sales gimmick or marketing tactic, surely they can think of some other ways to attract customers.

Kee Bird said...

The flag of liberals a yellow flag with a chicken on it

Anonymous said...

This is not patriotism. It is mere exhibitionism.

Spurwing Plover said...

Pipe down annon you liberal pantiewaste