Mayor McCloud’s Failure to Comply with United States Flag Code

Flag of the United States
Displayed at the Residence of Carmel-by-the-Sea Mayor Sue McCloud
S/s Santa Lucia Av. between San Carlos St. & Mission St.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA.
Thursday, 22 February 2007

The Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea authorized the installation of approximately 50 lights in the Ocean Av. medians between Monte Verde St. and Junipero Av. without a public hearing and in violation of the municipal code. Yet as a 30 plus year former federal government employee with the C.I.A., Mayor McCloud does not follow the United States Flag Code, Flag Etiquette, Standards of Respect, by illuminating her residential flag at night.

Reference:
Flag Etiquette
STANDARDS of RESPECT

“Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.”

United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1 — The Flag

§6. Time and occasions for display
a. It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

COMMENTS:
As Mayor McCloud displays a residential flag 24/7, she “should follow all of the traditions of the greatest symbol of our freedom,” including illumination of the American flag during the night. It is disturbing that a former federal government employee could violate such a basis standard of respect and patriotism. Mayor McCloud, an embarrassment to herself and the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea?