Atlantic Highlands and the American Flag
This isn’t the first time Borough Council members have quibbled over the American flag and what it stands for.
Two council members gained the support of the majority of council when they opted to disregard the Governor’s directive to keep the American flag at half staff for three months during the Covid pandemic. Instead, they argued, at the very least, it should be raised to full staff for the nation’s birthday.
Former Borough attorney Jason Sena opposed the idea. So did Councilmembers Lori Hohenleitner and Jon Crowley. In fact, the Democratic party then issued a public statement chastising the Republican council members for their stance in believing the American flag had never been lowered for such a length of time and the Governor was disrespectful in doing it.
The Republicans won by a 4-2 vote and the American flag was at full staff for July 4.
The Governor, by the way, rescinded his own order prior to July 4. Councilmen Brian Boms and James Murphy issued a statement indicating their pleasure that the Governor followed the lead of Atlantic Highlands.
This was in 2020.
Boms, and Murphy who is still on council, were both on council with other Republicans Steve Boracchia and Roy Dellosso. It was Boms who brought up argument that the flag should be raised at least for July 4; Murphy quickly seconded the motion and urged its adoption.
Borrichia and Dellosso quickly followed suit.
But the Democratic Club backed its two council members and issued a statement to local newspapers.
Calling it a political move to want to raise the American flag for July 4, the statement went on to say the Republican controlled council “voted to illegally defy Governor Murphy’s Executive Order.”
They complained the action was proposed by the two councilmen without submitting it in writing or sharing it with the rest of the governing body in advance.
The release termed Boracchia’ s comment that in July, 2020, the Covid pandemic was over, as shortsighted. The release said the councilmen’s action lacked transparency, and deprived residents the opportunity to make council opinions heard prior to a vote.
Responsible governing requires the input of the public when making decisions that could bring about litigation against our town, the press release continued, referring to Sena’s statement the Governor could very well take action against the borough for disobeying his executive order.
They termed the action of the GOP councilman “a blatant disregard for public opinion…” and added the Republicans “don’t’ seem to care what the town’s constituents think or let them have their say.”
In the end, the press release said, it isn’t really about the flag or patriotism, but rather “these councilmen are simply thumbing their noses at Governor Murphy and misrepresenting the flag as a prop in order to gain notice from their base.”
In contrast, both Crowley and Hohenleitner, the release went on, “were clear in their willingness to compromise over the July 4th holiday weekend.” (Both opposed the resolution as brought by the GOP majority.
“What are we teaching our children?” they asked. “Do rules not apply if we don’t like them? Where does it end?”
In the end, the press release concluded that “Crowley and Hohenleitner continue to work across the aisle, as they have each done since being elected. While the GOP insists on playing politics, we are sure that Crowley and Hohenleitner will continue to do their best to ensure that open discussion and public input is always a part of a transparent — and representative — government.”
