Flag Controversy is Over

Warren's flag controversy is over. During the last two weeks, the city had received complaints about the condition of the flags, so crews took them down. When Frank Grimmer, the volunteer who put them up last month, said he was going to replace them, City Manager Jim Nelles said he would have Grimmer arrested for defiant trespass. Instead, on Friday, Grimmer was given an agreement from Nelles and Mayor Mark Phillips that permits him to "install American flags and poles on certain utility poles located along Pennsylvania Avenue, upon which pole brackets have previously been attached." In the agreement, the city reserves the right to inspect the flags and poles to be used. Also, Grimmer is given 24 hours from notice by the city to "remove, replace or repair any flag that, in the city's opinion, is too damaged or worn to display."