Flags Signal Flap Between City Officials, Sacramento

They aren’t quite ready to burn the state flag yet, but city officials are flying the old grizzly banner at half-staff in Monrovia and upside-down in Pomona.

The moves are in protest to proposals in Sacramento to take revenue from cities to shore up the faltering state budget.

Monrovia City Manager Rod Gould said the symbolism involving the flag may seem frivolous, but it is a serious attempt to fight state budget proposals that could force cities to cut services or raise taxes.

“We resent this grab for revenue,” Gould said.

Both the state flag and the flag for DARE--an anti-drug program that could be endangered by state budget cuts--have been flying at half-staff in front of Monrovia City Hall since last week.

Gould said the idea was suggested by Police Chief Joseph Santoro.

In Pomona, the City Council this week decided to put the California bear on its back by turning the flag upside-down to signal dissatisfaction with the budget proposals.

Council members said they patterned their protest after one that originated in La Verne.

Jeff Allred, assistant city manager in La Verne, said Mayor Jon Harry Blickenstaff suggested the upside-down flag protest at a council meeting.

But then it was discovered that the city does not own a state flag. And, Allred said, La Verne’s budget is so tight that the city cannot afford to buy one.