(Orangevale, California) - An Orangevale man is being fined $2,500 for flying five American flags on county streetlight poles.
Ed Andrews, an Air Force Reservist, took up a collection last summer among nearly two dozen neighbors on Acer Way and Ortiz Court that raised over $400 to buy the flags and mounting brackets.
On Labor Day weekend, Andrews mounted the five flags on five different poles.
Then the trouble began.
Sacramento County Department of Transportation notified Andrews that mounting flags on county-owned streetlight poles violates state and local laws.
After refusing to remove the flags, Andrews received a letter from the county demanding he pay a $2,500 fine.
Andrews explained why he chose the streetlight poles. “We have illumination at night, where we’re able to fly the flag 24/7,” he said.
One of the neighbors who helped pay for the flag display believes the county should allow for an exception to the no-flag laws.
“Sometimes those rules need to be … looked at again, and maybe changed,” said Richard Ackler.
Andrews said he’s planning to appeal the fine. Neighbors who contributed to the flag fund said they’ll support him.
