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A western Pennsylvania shop owner is in trouble for flying U.S. flags outside his store.
A citation filed earlier in the week accuses shop owner Mike Smith of violating Bradford's sign ordinance because his flags flap into the street.
Smith, a Vietnam War veteran, has displayed the two U.S. Flags, a Prisoner of War flag and a Missing in Action flag outside his business for eight years. He says he displays the flags for the troops in Iraq (web|news) and Afghanistan and in memory of those who don't return.
Bradford Mayor Tom Riel says the problem is not with the flags. He says the concern is that they flap into a traffic lane.
The case will be argued before District Judge Dom Cercone on Aug. 11.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
The owner of this business was cited over threee flags that were placed on the curb and extended into the roadway, violating both local and state laws. He was approached by the city several times and refused to work with the city to work something out.
He still displays the U.S. Flags prominently in front of his business. These flags do not extend into the roadway and were not mentioned in the citation. This incident could have been avoided had the owner responded to the city's overtures.
The City Of Bradford goes out of its way to support local business owners and doesn't deserve this type of publicity just because it sounds sensational.
For a more balanced perspective on this issue you can visit Bradford-Online.com or TalkAboutBradford.com
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