American, Georgia and military flags can continue to fly at CJ’s Hot Dogs in McDonough, city officials said Tuesday.
Darren Miller and business partner Dean Patterson learned Friday that flags in rights-of-way violate a city ordinance. They received two citations, one for a portable sign “that sits about 20 feet off the road” and one for the flags. The flag flap drew national attention, and the duo appeared on Fox and Friends Weekend.
In a statement from the city, McDonough administrator Frederick Gardiner said Tuesday that Miller and Patterson should have never been cited because the ordinance “was vague in the area of flags.” He said he recommended Friday that the citation be voided, and has informed one of the owners of his decision.
“This situation has been an embarrassment for our city,” Gardiner said. “Never has it been the intent of our mayor and council to regulate the American flag, and we never will.”
Flags have been flying at CJ’s Hot Dogs for the past three months. Jim Joyce, who works with the city and Heritage Park Veterans Museum in McDonough, said the museum gave the flags in question to CJ’s Hot Dogs more than a year ago after one of the owners asked if the museum could donate any memorabilia.
Much of the eatery’s décor, Miller said, has come from donations.
“If you look at our walls,” he said, “they are covered with all kinds of patches from people who have served in one way or another. We started with my firefighter’s patches and Dean’s police patches and went from there.”
Miller said since news of the citations broke, people have been coming from near and far to show their support.
“I just want to honor the people who serve,” Miller said. “That’s all.”
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