American Flag Finally Raised at City Hall...On a Cheap Flagpole

On December 20, 2005, a petition with 186 signatures of Hilshire Village residents was submitted to the city council, and read as follows:

“ We, the undersigned residents of Hilshire Village, propose that the City Council of Hilshire Village have a flagpole erected to fly the United States flag at the new city hall to comply with US Code, Title 36,Chapter 10.{}176, e. We further propose that this flagpole be at least 35 feet in height, fly a United States flag no smaller than 6 feet by 10 feet in size, and be illuminated at night. This new flagpole should be dedicated to all veterans, especially World War II veterans who helped to form Hilshire Village. We believe this is needed not only to comply with the United States flag code, but to show our patriotism in this critical time in history.”

The city council then chose to ignore all provisions of the petition, including the minimum height and size requirements for the flag and flagpole. Most importantly, city council chose to ignore the complete purpose of the flag and flagpole, which according to the petition, was to honor all veterans, especially World War II veterans who had founded the City of Hilshire Village.

The city council originally approved the spending of $1500, but installed a cheap telescoping flagpole for $350, using the excuse that a real aluminum flagpole would not hold up in a storm (real flagpoles are rated for 150+ mph winds).

Almost five years has gone by, and nobody has challenged the city council on this blatant disregard of the people's will.

Hilshire village Mayor pro temp harasses resident for flying American flags along the street in remembrance of 9-11.

Mayor pro temp John Denninger stopped his vehicle and angrily complained to resident about flying American flags along the street in remembrance of 9-11.

"You just can't, can't leave well enough alone, huh, you just gotta do it, huh, gotta do it." Denninger complained. "Well, you know, the only problem is this is city property; what if everybody did it?"

It would be great if everyone did it. On September 13, 2001, the Senate passed a resolution that " as a symbol of solidarity following the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, every United States citizen is encouraged to display the flag of the United States."

Hilshire Village city hall, the city council, and the mayor failed to fly the American flag in remembrance of 9-11.

Hilshire Village debates whether or not to comply with US Flag Code

From the Hilshire Village Minutes:

4. Flagpole for City Hall commemorating Hilshire Village’s first 50 years: The Federal Flag Code was previously distributed to Council. It stated that the "flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution." Mayor Davis said as there was some money left over in the 50th Anniversary budget, he felt that (sic) a flagpole and flagpole could be installed with a permanent light for night.Tucker said that Capital Flag Company would be willing to donate an "outside" flag. Castro was opposed as she felt it was "caving-in" to a resident who had improperly placed small flags in right of way of street who said he would remove them if "Hitler Village" as he called it, would put up a flagpole and dedicate it to WWII veterans.

Hilshire Village City hall fails again to fly American flag

The Texas Governor and Harris County commissioner were contacted, and they were asked why Hilshire Village does not fly the American Flag like they are supposed to. Independence Day went by, and Hilshire Village failed again to comply with the law by not flying the American flag outside city hall.

Hilshire Village Stops Realtors from flying American flags along street

It has been a custom for many years for patriotic realtors to place an American flag along the roadway next to each driveway for the Fourth of July weekend. This tradition appears to have been stopped. Why?

Hilshire Village City Government still refuses to fly the American flag outside City Hall

The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.

US Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, § 176. ( e )

Memorial day went by, and there was no American flag flying outside City Hall. Now comes the Fourth of July. Will the Village install a proper flagpole and American flag in time to celebrate American Independence? Will they continue to ignore the peoples' outcry for patriotism in their city leaders during a time of war? Or will they simply wash the windows on city hall so you can peek in and see the American flag?

The meaning of the American flag

"The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing."

US Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, § 176. ( j )

"Old Glory, this flag we honor and under which we serve is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thoughts and purposes as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give from generation to generations. The choice is ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices whether in peace or war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us — speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it."

President Woodrow Wilson