Businessmen Refuse to Take Down Flags : Ordinance: Owners of tire company will defy La Habra’s order to rid grounds of 17 banners. A confrontation looms.

As businessmen Ryan Christensen and Mike Altman see it, Old Glory is under siege, and it’s time to rally ‘round the flag.

First, President Bill Clinton declared his opposition last week to a constitutional amendment safeguarding the American flag from desecration.

And now, less than a week away from Flag Day, the city of La Habra has ordered the tire store owners to take down 17 flags at their new Big O outlet store.

Christensen, 33, an Eagle Scout, and Altman, 32, a Navy veteran, vow they will defy the city.

“There shouldn’t be any restrictions on flying the flag as long as it’s done with respect and good taste, as we have done,” said Christensen, who co-owns a second tire franchise with Altman in Anaheim. “And we want to show our support for Flag Day and the new amendment to protect the American flag.”

However, city officials issued a warning to the self-described patriots earlier this week and threatened to cite them on Monday if the flags are not removed. According to the city’s warning, the flags, which are hoisted on 18-foot flagpoles on store property along West Whittier Boulevard, are an “obstruction.”

La Habra City Hall is closed Fridays and efforts to reach officials were unsuccessful.

The two businessmen are veterans of fighting City Hall over the American flag. Last year, they forced another confrontation with Anaheim over a similar issue--and won.

In September, Anaheim directed the businessmen to take down 18 flags at their new store or face misdemeanor code violations. They refused and petitioned the City Council, which quietly backed off the issue in spite of a longstanding ordinance forbidding the display of more than three flags.

At that time, Anaheim officials accused the businessmen of challenging the ordinance as a cheap publicity stunt to help business.

But Christensen and Altman deny that they are being motivated by anything other than patriotism.

“There’s always going to be critics. But our only goal is to promote pride in the flag,” Christensen said. “There’s no grandstanding going on.”

With the victory in Anaheim, Christensen and Altman are confident they will prevail.

“I wouldn’t think the city of La Habra, being an All-American city, would have a problem displaying the flag anyway,” Christensen said. “History has shown we will take this as far as we have to.”