Riel: Patriotism Isn't the Issue

When Bradford businessman Mike Smith was cited for displaying flags too close the street in front of his business, a debate on patriotism started in the city. Mayor Tom Riel says it's unfortunate that people are saying the citation has something to do with patriotism and flags, when it has nothing to do with patriotism and flags. The city has a legal right to ask anyone to remove anything in a right-of-way, Riel says, adding that even the city's signs have to be a minimum distance from the road, as per PennDOT stipulations. Riel says he drove by the store this morning and saw the flags waving out over the street. "Those are the issues the city is concerned with," Riel says. "We're not concerned with patriotism or his right to fly the flag." Smith is a Vietnam veteran and says he's flying the flags for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has been flying them for years. He also says he wants his day in court, and will have it August 11 in front of District Judge Dom Cercone.