Deadwood Flag Size Rule Upsets Businessman
DEADWOOD, S.D. (AP) — A Deadwood business owner is upset about a city rule that considers American flags signs and requires special permission for flags larger than 24 square feet.
Hotel and casino owner Mike Gustafson in July applied for a permit to hang a 375-square-foot flag on his building during the annual motorcycle rally in nearby Sturgis. The Black Hills Pioneer (http://bit.ly/1foCSQC) reports that the City Commission approved the request but set a deadline for the large flag to be removed.
Gustafson needed a sign permit to display the flag for a longer period, and city officials denied that request. Officials cited a part of the ordinance that says flags shouldn't be used to call attention to a building.
Gustafson says referring to large flags as "signs" is "outdated and unpatriotic."
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