Recently it was brought to my attention that we have more than an eyesore in our town, we have total and complete disrespect for our countries flag.
Let me start out by saying as a scoutmaster I strive to teach our youth how to be respectful of our nations flag. Be it during a flag raising, retreat, flag presentation ceremony or proper display of the flag I try to teach the youth how it's done properly. One of the biggest things I am proud of is teaching the what to do when a flag is beyond repair. Over the last 3 years we've retired over 500 flags in accordance with United States Code 36, Chapter 10, Section 176 (k) "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." We've retired these flags from small to large in both public ceremonies and over a campfire in a respectful manner.
So when I drive around town and see a flag that is tattered I'm going to stop and ask if the proprietor will allow me to take it and properly retire it. Over the years I've stopped by dozens of businesses and asked for their flags, and never once have I been refused. When I explain that it will be properly taken care of they are happy to let me take it.
So with all that said, we have a situation in town that is beyond belief. The old Quality dealership left all the flags flying when they left. 17 American and Texas flags are tattered down to 1/2 of their original size flapping in the wind. It is in the least a disgrace!
To make the matter worse this is on Hwy 90A, our main thoroughfare in town.
So what do passersby think of our town? Disrespectful? Uncaring? Unpatriotic? These are a few words that I can think of that come to mind that a visitor would think looking at this site.
Now this is contrary to the flag display that the Knights of Columbus put up on 6 of our national holidays, where we have flags flying down streets after streets in our town.
I know that the owners have been contacted. I know that the city has been contacted. I know that the Chamber has been contacted. Yet in the last month since this was brought to our attention nothing has been done about this problem.
Now there are only 2 places I'm aware of that have the bucket trucks that could pull those flags down, and that's the City of Gonzales and GVEC. So what should be done? Wouldn't it be nice if the owners just took care of this eye sore and disrespect to the flags that are flying and our city wouldn't have the blemish to deal with?
Second best would be for our city manager to have someone contact the owners and either ask them to remove them or ask permission to have them removed. Even if city employees are doing this task it's better than what it cost the city in bad publicity.
Last would be for someone at GVEC to take some imitative and get permission to remove these flags. It wouldn't take a crew 15-30 minutes to get all those flags down with a bucket truck. That would continue their good corporate citizenship they've shown in the past.
Regardless these flags need to be removed. Bring them to my place, it's easy enough I'm across the street, and I will make sure that those will be properly retired along with the other 100 I have waiting for the next opportunity to do it properly.
God BlessDennis Nesser
I agree, this has bothered me for months on end. Even if the owners don't fix the problem, you would think that the city manager would have employees do the work and then bill the propery owner to clean up the place. But then again, I'm not the city manager! Too bad-because I would clean up this nasty town, starting with the most disgusting city streets in America. You would think that people inside the city limits (paying for city taxes) would protest the conditions of the streets and not pay the city taxes. Management in Gonzales sucks!
ReplyDeleteI spoke with the realitor about this situation that is listed on the sign out front. John, 210-491-1301, and his comments were as follows.
ReplyDelete1) I haven't seen it.
2) The owner is recently deceased and he is dealing with a grieving widow.
3) He won't be taking down the flags, but grants permission for anyone who would like to.
As I explained to him, this is a big problem since this is our main thorough fair in town, and the condition is only getting worse not better.
So again, is their anyone in our community that has the means to do this other than the city or GVEC? It would sure be nice if one of them just took it upon themselves to do as I did, call John, get the permission, and take down the eyesore.
God Bless,
Dennis Nesser
Maybe if everyone called the real estate guy he would get off his lazy butt and take them down. He knows it will take a lift bucket so he's not willing to do it, waiting for someone else to pay for the removal.
ReplyDeleteIt's 210-491-0031...worth a try. :-)
ReplyDeleteI want to thank Gonzales Lumber for loaning my scouts (Boy Scout Troop 262) to attempt to get those flags down. Unfortunately the ladders were to large or to small (sounds like a bad case of Goldilocks) ...but do not dispare, I believe we have a private citizen who has a bucket truck coming to the rescue! More back soon.
ReplyDeleteDo you have written permission to take them down? If so I think I can get a bucket truck, but they won't move without written approval.
ReplyDelete