Dealership Facing $1,000 Fine For Flying American Flag Banners On 4th of July
West Palm Beach Kia in Palm Beach, Florida is facing government restrictions that threaten what they feel is their show of patriotism. Just three days before the 4th of July skies are filled with fireworks as an emblem of patriotism, this dealership is being told to take down American flag banners. Palm Beach County has decided the American flag banners violate county codes. The Kia store received a notice indicating that the six American flag banners violate Unified Land Development code in the county.
According to a NewsChannel 5 report, the notice indicates that according to county code, the dealer cannot display, “banners, streamers, pennants, balloons or other signage made of lightweight fabric, plastic, or similar material.”
To make this case even more troubling, the county has commanded the dealer to remove the flags by the 4th of July or face a fine of $1,000 per day. West Palm Beach Kia general manager Mike Wangle told NewsChannel 5 this is a question not of code, but of normal patriotism. Wangle said in an interview, “We’re just trying to show our patriotism. You would think they would let us leave it up during the fourth and then say take them down after the holiday.”
An investigation by News 5 out of Palm Beach indicated another business on the same street also has banners in front of the business, but has not be issued any sort of notice. However, this dealer is not backing down. GM Mike Wangle said that even if it means paying $1000, he plans to fly his American flag banners on the 4th of July.
When this story was posted to social media, consumers heavily sided with the dealership with one woman wanting to go there for her next vehicle purchase due to their decision to take a stand.
Do you think that this dealer is making the right move? Do you think there is a correlation between the date when the banners have to be down and Independence Day? Finally, would you pay $1000 per day to keep similar banners up at your store for the 4th of July weekend?
*UPDATE*
The county did not fine West Palm Beach Kia for flying their American Flag Banners on Independence Day. They gave the store until July 6th to remove the banners. An email from Rebecca Caldwell of the Palm Beach County Zoning Planning and Building Department explained their decision. That email, sent to WPTV reads in part, “The property is not receiving any fines and will not have any further action if the feathers are removed by our next inspection which will be Monday July 6.”
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Hi Dennis! I looked into this story further and the county backed down. The dealer was able to fly the American flag banners on the Fourth of July. With all of the media attention that this story received, it’s easy to think that the county got an ear-full from angry citizens. Thanks for watching!
This story has a strong stinch of discrimination against automotive dealers to me. I would find out the exact channels they followed to actually get this ridiculous code violation brought against the dealership, but not the business down the street flying banners. Find every single person who was involved and replace them. They fail to realize that they are public servants. They work for you. I would sue their butt off for discrimination and bring them back to reality.
Mike Wangle, I salute you for your your patriotism, and agree 100% with your stance.
This is America and we are very patriotic around the 4th of July holiday. If anyone has a problem with that then they should catch the next plane or boat out of our country. Patriotism is alive and well in West Palm Beach, Florida. If I were those officials in West Palm Beach, Florida I would probably just let it be and back off before they stir up a hornets nest like they have never seen.
The dealership has done everything right. The dealership is obviously the victim of discrimination. I absolutely would pay the fine and then sue their butts off. They need to be reminded that that dealership provides jobs for the community and all of those employees pay their taxes so the public servants need a reminder of who pays them.
Please keep us updated about this situation and how it is resolved. There is no way that county is silly enough to enforce that code and collect the fine. No way. If so… maybe they do need to see a hornets nest full of ticked off car dealers and the power of social media.