City Council sets ground-rules for flags at Triangle Park
LOCK HAVEN, PA – Lock Haven City Council has reduced to resolution form the city policy for those who wish to display flags on the flagpole at Triangle Park. The resolution “establishing the presence of second flags to be flown on the flagpole in Triangle Park” was passed on a 4-2 vote at council’s Monday meeting. That session was held before a full house at the Hand-in-Hand Hose Company meeting room on Henderson St.
A Woodward Township resident had approached council at its first April meeting, seeking permission to have a Christian flag mounted for April beneath the American flag at the downtown park. As the request did not follow established protocol on the matter, no action was taken.
In the meantime, City Manager Greg Wilson presented council with his research on what is appropriate for display. His report included heritage months that US Courts have recognized: the list includes African American History Month in February; Women’s History Month in March; LGBTQ Pride Month in June; and Native American Heritage Month in November. It was also noted the U.S. military has designated May at Gold Star Awareness Month.
As approved, the resolution “provides opportunities for those who make requests to City Council to fly a flag on a nationally recognized month to continue to do so.”
The resolution says these flags may be flown as the second flag below the U.S. flag:
POW/MIA flag, January
Black History Month (Pan-African) flag, February
Women’s History Month flag, March
POW/MIA flag, April
Gold Star Service Flag, May
Pride flag, June
POW/MIA flag, July
Commonwealth University – Lock Haven, August
POW/MIA flag, September
POW/MIA flag, October
Lenape Eastern Delaware flag, November
POW/MIA flag, December
Council member Rick Conklin noted that the Lenape tribe once occupied ground where Lock Haven sits, until it was taken illegally from them by the Delaware tribe.
Council members Jeff Brinker and Richard Morris voted against resolution approval. Brinker moved that only the American flag be displayed on the flagpole, but his motion failed for lack of a second.
Council member Doug Byerly was not in attendance.
