County to Explore Proposal to Install Flagpoles at New Buildings

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday asked staffers for a report on a proposed policy that would require flagpoles at new county buildings, as a way to help people identify them and to show allegiance to the nation's founding principles.

The board voted 5-0 in favor of the idea. A report is expected in about 90 days.

As it is, the county has no policy regarding flagpoles at its buildings, and recently completed libraries in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Rancho Santa Fe and Bonita were built without them, according to board Chairman Bill Horn.

Displaying the U.S. flag, along with the flags of the state and county, would help visitors identify county buildings, show allegiance to the country and honor the men and women who have given their lives to protect the freedoms the flags stand for, Horn stated in a letter to the board.

"As a former Marine, I know it's only a symbol, but it is a symbol of our county, our state, our nation and it means a lot to us as the symbol of the freedoms we enjoy as citizens,'' Horn said.

The new Fallbrook library's design did not include a flagpole, but community members started a fundraising drive to install one.

The board pledged a $4,700 grant from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Fund to supplement the $7,300 raised from community donations to cover the installation costs.

-City News Service