Businessman Ticketed for Flying the US Flag
Posted on February 3, 2008
Filed Under Government
In our volatile political environment with the upcoming elections, an unpopular war, rising fuel prices and turbulent economy you would think that local government would encourage such activities as displaying our National Symbol of Patriotism, the Flag of the United States of America. Well that is not the case in Glynn County Georgia.
Local businessman, Gary Hudgins president of Carl Gregory Chrysler Dodge in Brunswick Georgia, was ticketed on 2-1-2008 for displaying the US Flag on automobiles in inventory by the Glynn County Code Enforcement Division. The types of flags used were of the style that slid over automobile antennas, this was in addition to a very predominate flag display that many businesses would envy, and were full representations of our National symbol not mere pendants or tacky stringer displays.
The message sent by the Glynn County Code Enforcement was very clear. There are no exceptions to the banner flag laws in Glynn County Georgia even if it is to help promote patriotism, support of our government and our troops abroad. It would be understandable to this author if it was a tacky display or appeared gaudy, but this display maintained dignity and reverence to both the Flag and enhanced the aesthetics of the inventory display.
It appears that Mr Hudgins was met with a ticket for a technical violation by the Glynn County Code Enforcement Division. A better use of this Glynn County Code Enforcement Division’s resources and taxpayer dollars would be to take signs down stapled to telephone poles and the signs that litter the mediums about dating sites and stopping foreclosures if their goal is to improve the commercial aesthetics of the area.
Stay Tuned for updates on this at Consumer Blotter
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8 Responses to “Businessman Ticketed for Flying the US Flag”
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Where will it stop?? First our prayer is taken out of school–now we are not allowed patriotism. Our rights are slowly and silently being taken away. Wake up Americans!! Our Pledge of Allegiance will be the next to go.
We have men and women in Iraq who are dying to preserve our rights as Americans and to help others achieve at least human rights.
As far as “banners” are concerned–I have seen all types flying at all businesses, car sales lots and high school floats. At least are showing support for something and as it is an election year; a good reminder to make people think about what is truly important in the upcoming months.
I guess on the 4th of July there will be a lot of tickets going around. On Veterans Day I guess they will start telling the American Legion to stop putting US Flags on veteran graysites.
I commend Gary Hugins and Carl Gregory for their patriotism!! The person who wrote the ticket should look around Brunswick at all the trash and signs stapled to poles and the tacky banners at some other dealerships of various kinds. Garage sellers beware!!
Great Job Gary & all the Carl Gregory Folks with the flag display!!Only next time,be sure to point the cars and Flags facing Mecca and I’m sure code enforcenent will make an exception.
In all fairness, the US Code does say the flag should not be used to promote business. Personally, I’m not happy with how old our laws are with respect to the flag. They should be updated. I don’t like to see our flag used as a towel for the beach or as a handkerchief, etc. It sounds like Mr. Hudgins’s use was tasteful, and that should be allowed. But, how do you write that as a law?
Mr Rushing;
Please refer to the US Dept of Veterans Affairs official website for guidelines for display of flag.
In doing so you will see the following guideline;
“Other Things Not to Do with the Flag”
“use the flag for advertising or promotion purposes…….or anything else intended for temporary use and discard.” The owners of the dealerships were in violation of not just flags(of course this was not reported in the news)but also pennants and other display material. They were given notice two weeks ago to notify them of violations. The quote I gave to the paper was not accurate or correct, a phone call to the reporter Emily Stranger would confirm the truth. I told her I was surprised about the requested removal of American flags and specifically asked her to call some Veterans because of the official guidelines posted by the VA affairs office. I also notified her that one dealer from Nissan had just called me (Monday night)previous to her call and I new nothing about the issue but had told the dealer I would follow up on the issue. (The dealer, Mr. Don Smith can confirm this time and phone call discussion). So whether you agree or not, I wanted to make sure that people saw the other side of the story and could judge for themselves on the issue.
As far as my home and the campaign for President of the United States, you would see that I followed the guidelines of the VA and I personally called the office in Washington to confirm the rules I should use in the use of the flag in the campaign in pictures and on campaign material.
As far as the success of the campaign? Rather than complain about Washington I came forth to attempt a change. The platform does represent what most true conservative Americans expect from Washington. see www.electcap.us
Thank you for an open response blog. Cap Fendig
Why stop wasting time on that, and instead spend all their time and money rounding up illegals and shooting them back to their motherland country from a cannon. Gives Americans a criminal record for no reason while the illegals continue to thrive in America by raping the system and our pockets.
Thank you Gary.We all stand tall with you and support you.There were several other dealers in Brunswick cited also. I can’t believe Tony Thaw would even suggest that the dealers are using the American flag for sales purposes. I am appalled that excuse would even be suggested. Why cant the county admit they made a mistake!!!! Everyone needs to stand together on this issue fill your yard with the American flag to show your support and fight for our rights as an AMERICAN.
I work at a local business and it is not just the American Flag these guys are targeting, in fact it is any banner hanging from a building that they are going after. We had a banner at our business that welcomed new members and were told to take it down or face a fine.
If you own your building and the property on which it stands, you should be able to display a flag or banner as long as it is not unsightly and it is in good taste.
Just another show of how this county stomps on the rights of it’s citizens one at a time, it is all a money game to them, they know people will resist and that is when the fines begin to fly.
As a member of the US Armed Forces (24 years active duty) I understand how over zealous members of all forms of government want to get themselves recognized.
I served in Japan for 9 years and while working for the Commanding General in 1985 was left a note on my car parked at 3rd FSSG Headquarters.
The note read, “please remove the US and Japanese flag decals from your car window or you will be written up.”
I had an American and Japanese flag “properly displayed” on my vehicles window for over three years before this US Military member left me that note.
I also believe that our “Flag Display Rules” need to be rewritten. Flags can be seen as thongs, unmentionables, bikinis, towels, sweat bands and the list could go on and on. You do not see or hear of the mfgs for these flags getting citations so why should a local businessman. I commend the car dealership for their display of support for the soldiers who are making the ultimate sacrifice everyday to defend the rights of some citizens to burn our flag and the rights of such local officials to have the adacity to leave such a citation. The official must not have been in the dealerships GM’s pocket.
It is “Time for a change” remember that when electing your local officials.
Jay-R