Letter: Flag should fly, but not in traffic circle

Your story on the Woodbine flag removal by SHA ("Woodbine flag a national lightning rod," Jan. 19) was informative, and brought to light a few facts which had been conveniently understated.

We now know that Ms. Winkler's group had recently erected a 250-foot flagpole, in concrete, on a public traffic circle, without the consent of the property owner. How anyone would have the audacity to presume this right is baffling.

We then find that following removal of the pole, a series of questionable remarks were offered to further her cause.

Next comes the expected appearance of the "civil liberties" attorney, who by his own words, has been "suing the government for 30 years," jumping on the bandwagon and in a bizarre twist of logic, accuses the SHA of negligence for graciously allowing the flag display to remain in place over the past three years.

As a long-time Maryland resident, and taxpayer, I hope SHA can find a location for the display of Ms. Winkler's flag, but I also hope they don't simply bow to the demands of these well-intentioned trespassers. (I would also like to know who "trimmed" the tree shown in the accompanying photo.)

Darrell Smith

Ellicott City

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