U.S. flags to fly on Flanders utility poles to raise funds

Twenty American flags that once flew over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., will fly along Long Neck Boulevard in Flanders from Memorial Day through Veterans Day as part of an annual fundraiser for a local civic organization.

Ronald Fisher, president of the Bay View Pines Civic & Taxpayer Association Inc., said the idea came from one of his 125 members, hamlet resident Charlie Northshield.

Fisher said members were given the opportunity to sponsor one of the flags, which will fly from Verizon and PSEG utility poles on 14 streets that intersect Long Neck Boulevard. Each flag was sold for $125 to raise $2,500 for the organization.

“The highway department trimmed all the trees that lead to the bay, and the thought was it would be nice to enhance the view” with a flag display, Fisher said. “There are a lot of veterans in the neighborhood and a lot of patriots.”

Fisher said the plan was to allow anyone in Flanders to sponsor a flag, but he said association members, who come from the Bay View Pines and Water’s Edge communities, quickly scooped them all up.

The flags, which Fisher said Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) was able to obtain for the fundraiser, are expected to be delivered by the end of this month.

Carl Iacone, a retired New York City sanitation worker and New York Times delivery truck driver, has lived in Flanders for 25 years. He said he was excited to have the opportunity to pay tribute to his late parents and in-laws.

And so close to home.

“We wanted to be sponsors of a flag in memory of them and to give the area a little life,” said Iacone, 83. The flag will fly at the corner of June Avenue, where Iacone and his wife, Frances, live.

Fisher said proceeds will be used to beautify the area with planters and for litter removal. He added that there are plans to add more poles and sponsors in coming years.

A zoning code amendment allowing the display was passed March 8 by the Southampton Town Board. Councilman John Bouvier introduced the measure after the fundraiser was proposed. He said that under the original code it was unclear whether American flags could be flown from vehicles, fences, buildings, telephone poles and other structures in town.

Bouvier said certain “signs” were prohibited from being displayed and that raised the question of whether that included American flags. They were determined to be exempt, Bouvier said, prompting him to propose the resolution after the Bay View group asked permission for the flag fundraiser.