EDISON – There have been apologies and retractions all around after the township council last month banned American flags at meetings, dismissing them as mere props.
First the mayor and then the council president expressed regret and said the Stars and Stripes are welcome in the municipal complex after all.
Of course, trying to wipe the slate clean makes one think of the old cliche about “putting the toothpaste back in the tube.”
It’s tough to do.
As time moves on, the enduring image of this saga will be a man escorted out of a council meeting by police when he refused to stop waving a small American flag.
How did this happen?
Or to be a bit more blunt – How can elected officials be this clueless?
The answer is that many elected officials – regardless of party – live in a bubble, talking to and reacting only to themselves.
In the case at hand, the council in this Middlesex County town of slightly more than 100,000, was concerned about “decorum.”
A cynic might say that means council members were unhappy too many people were criticizing them at meetings.
Whatever the motivation, the council at its Nov. 25 meeting adopted two ordinances aimed at controlling behavior at meetings.
One reduced the time residents could address the council from six to four minutes.
That drew opposition from the audience, but objectively speaking, four minutes certainly is long enough to make a point. Some governing bodies limit speakers to three minutes.
An accompanying ordinance banned props at meetings. The intent may have been to prevent people from showing up with air horns or in strange costumes, but as everyone saw, it also included the American flag.
The ejection of a flag-waving resident did what you’d expect it to do in our world of social media.
Edison Township and its anti-flag ordinance reverberated throughout the national news cycle, and drew much condemnation locally as well.
Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, said:
“The adoption of this new law in Edison is disqualifying behavior from the town council.”
From the other side of the aisle came the ACLU, which, among other things, called the law “vague” and said enforcement is at the whim of the council president.
It didn’t take long for officials to backtrack.
The mayor, Sam Joshi, issued a statement Tuesday afternoon:
“Our nation’s flag has never, EVER, been banned, nor will it ever be banned in our municipal complex, or any government building that we solely operate. We are all proud Americans who believe in the principles, morals, and values the American Flag represents. I have spoken to the Council President regarding this matter and he has humbly apologized and issued his official statement for the confusion surrounding the recently passed decorum ordinance.”
At about the same time, Nish Patel, the council president, offered a statement of his own – one that mentioned his apologies not once, not twice, but three times.
So that ends it – at least officially.
However, you can expect the political ramifications to linger a bit longer.
How all this happened in the first place is still mind-boggling.
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Edison, New Jersey is a bustling township located in Middlesex County, known for its diverse population and thriving business community. However, recent reports have raised concerns about a potential warning sign in the area that residents should be aware of.
According to Insider NJ, there have been increasing reports of car break-ins and thefts in various neighborhoods throughout Edison. This troubling trend has left many residents feeling uneasy and concerned about the safety of their vehicles and personal belongings.
In response to these incidents, local law enforcement officials are urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their property. This includes locking car doors, removing valuables from vehicles, and parking in well-lit areas whenever possible. Additionally, residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
While car break-ins are not uncommon in urban areas, the recent spike in incidents in Edison is cause for alarm. It is important for residents to stay vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their property to prevent becoming victims of crime.
In light of these recent events, community leaders and law enforcement officials are working together to address the issue and increase patrols in affected areas. By staying informed and taking necessary precautions, residents can help deter criminal activity and keep their neighborhoods safe.
As the situation continues to develop, it is crucial for residents to stay informed and remain vigilant. By working together as a community, we can help prevent crime and ensure the safety and security of all residents in Edison, New Jersey.
