The Barrington Town Council has introduced an ordinance that would ensure space annually on the town hall flag pole for certain flags.

The ordinance — introduced during a special meeting on June 16 — applies to four flags in addition to the American flag and POW/MIA flag, making it the “standard practice” of the town to raise the Pride flag during the month of June; a flag marking the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in April; the Autism Awareness flag on all other days in April; and the Pan-African flag or another appropriate flag to celebrate Black History Month in February. 

Council member Carl Kustell submitted the proposed ordinance. 

“Speaking broadly, whenever we have had extensive public deliberation on any issue and can get to a just result more efficiently, we should take that opportunity,” Mr. Kustell said. “Doing so allows us to accomplish more on behalf of the community.

“The ordinance would apply to four flags we’re very likely to fly annually. Members of the Pride and Autism Awareness communities requested that flags be flown annually in their initial requests. The practice with regard to the Armenian community has been annual for quite a number of years now and I do not doubt that we will recognize Black History Month annually as well.”

Mr. Kustell said the ordinance still allows for other flags to be requested and flown. 

“But I see no need to re-litigate the flying of these flags every year,” he added. 

The council voted 3-1 in favor of introducing the ordinance — Mr. Kustell, Michael Carroll and Rob Humm voted in favor, while Annelise Conway voted against it. Jacob Brier did not attend the meeting. 

A public hearing for the proposed ordinance will be held on Monday, July 19 at 7 p.m.

Additional flag pole?

Prior to the vote, members of the council briefly discussed flags. Mr. Humm said the issue of flag-flying has proven to be contentious and time-consuming. He thought Mr. Kustell’s proposed ordinance, removing the flag issues from conflicting with the day-to-day business of the council, was a good one.

Mr. Humm also said there has been some talk around town about erecting a new flag pole which could be placed in a new location and used to fly all flags, as long as they are not offensive or prohibited by law.

He said the flagpole idea was worth considering, adding that it could be accomplished for “very short dollars.”

Ms. Conway said she was concerned that another conversation about flags will further divide the community, and she is intent on bringing people together.

Flag Day rally

The flag issue was front and center outside Barrington Town Hall on June 14. 

In recognition of Flag Day, Barrington resident Paul Dulchinos and other members of the Barrington United Veterans Council held a First Amendment and Respect the American Flag Rally.

In his speech, Mr. Dulchinos said the town councilors were elected to represent all members of the community, and should not cater to special interest groups. He said the town’s flagpole should only fly the US flag, the state flag, the town flag, and, in accordance with federal laws the POW/MIA flag.

He challenged the council’s current approach to flag-flying at the town hall, which requires people or groups to secure council approval or sponsorship in order to have a flag hoisted onto the pole.

“They should not be picking winners and losers in their American Flagpole First Amendment Lottery,” Mr. Dulchinos said. “It is impossible to honor every deserving group — what happens when anniversaries and celebrations dates overlap — which group is more deserving?

“Some well deserving organizations will always feel slighted…”

Mr. Dulchinos said the intent of the rally was to demand respect for the American Flag and “its display free from partisan politics, the restoration of the sanctity of our veterans memorial, and to demand that the Barrington Town Council stop its practice of the selective cancellation of our citizens' 1st Amendment Rights.”

Mr. Dulchinos said the veterans group is only responding to the council’s decision to fly “political and divisive banners” under the US Flag above the veterans memorial outside Barrington Town Hall. He said the council ignored the toxicity of flying divisive banners, such as the Black Lives Matter banner.  

“To make matters worse, they have rejected community requests to fly other more honorable banners,” Mr. Dulchinos said, referencing flags that raise awareness about veterans suicide, stopping anti-semitism, supporting law enforcement, and anti-abortion. 

At the Flag Day rally, many of the banners that failed to earn council sponsorship were on display across the town hall lawn. Some people waved “Respect the Flag” banners while others held “Choose Life” flags.

Said Mr. Dulchinos: “It is time for our community to heal, to move on and a good first step would be to stop flying divisive and political banners… whether officially sanctioned as free speech or as government speech.”