County says it won't pay for flagpole at library

Several local residents have expressed opinions ranging from surprise to displeasure at the fact that the construction of the new $11 million dollar Fallbrook branch of the San Diego County Library did not include the installation of a flagpole to display the American flag.

When local resident G. Robinson called County Supervisor Bill Horn’s office last month and asked why a flagpole hadn’t been installed yet at the site, she wasn’t pleased to hear that the County had no intention of funding one.

Robinson said she asked Horn’s representative, “You people used our tax dollars to build that library, so why is it you can’t put an American flag on it with our tax dollars?” Unsatisfied with the conversation, Robinson requested to be sent a letter stating why a flagpole would not be installed at the County’s expense.

Horn and Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard directed Donna Ohr, deputy director of the San Diego County Library, to write Robinson. The letter stated the County would not be funding a flagpole at the facility and if the community wanted one, it would be up to the nonprofit Friends of the Fallbrook Library to raise the necessary money for it.

Ohr wrote on May 12, “…since the opening of the new building, [the County] has received many requests from citizens asking for a flagpole at the new library.” Ohr indicated in her letter that the lack of a flagpole on the property was an oversight on the part of the Friends organization and members of the Fallbrook community.

“During the planning process for the new Fallbrook Library, a community meeting was held, and no requests for a flagpole were made,” wrote Ohr. “Therefore, when the Request for Proposal for the new Fallbrook Library was written, it did not include a flagpole in the design.” She also stated, “…the Friends of the Fallbrook Library were involved in the design process, and again, no desire for a flagpole was expressed.”

Vincia Carlstrom, president of the Friends, said she was serving as vice president of the organization at the time construction plans were underway for the state-of-the-art facility and she doesn’t recall anyone talking about what many consider the norm for a county or state building – a flagpole to display the American flag. .

“As far as I know, <a flagpole> never came up for discussion,” said Carlstrom. “We were looking at all the big, structural things.”

Ohr stated in her letter, “There is no Board of Supervisors policy that mandates a flagpole at all county facilities. However, there is a policy, ‘G-4 National Flag – Policy and Display at County Buildings,’ which addresses the display of the national flag. In this policy, it does state that the national and state flag will be displayed at major county buildings.”

At 20,000 square feet, Ohr said, the Fallbrook Library “does not qualify as a major County building, although it may be the largest County building in Fallbrook.”

While Carlstrom said she felt Ohr “shouldn’t have said things the way she did,” this volunteer has, nonetheless, directed the Friends organization to assist in resolving the issue.

“It may have been an oversight on our part too, but there’s always a lot of politics in this stuff,” said Carlstrom.

The County has stated it will allow the Friends to collect the funds necessary through community donations to pay for a flagpole to be installed on the property. However, the installation must be arranged with the County.

“The work [would] be completed by a County-selected contractor, who will also be completing some other minor improvements to the building,” said Ohr, who added that the estimated cost, which would include lighting for the flagpole would be “between $10,000 and $12,000.”

“$10,000 is not going to cut it; and if $12,000 doesn’t come in quickly, it might cost more, the way things are going up,” said Carlstrom.

Carlstrom said local businessman and Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce member Jason Springston, owner of Springston Designs, has offered to head up the fundraising effort for the flagpole.

“Jason has been very optimistic [that raising the money] will not be a problem,” she said.

Springston has been involved with the Fallbrook Chamber’s flag project on East Mission Road near Interstate 15 and said conversations about the lack of a flagpole at the library has taken place while working with other community volunteers.

“Everyone I have been around lately has commented about how there is no American or California flag flying at the new library,” said Springston. “It should be welcoming troops as they pass through town along South Mission Road.”

“So far, everyone I have spoken with agrees that as a community we should put something there,” he added.

“The flagpole is a very emotional issue for this community, especially with the Marine Corps Base right here; it’s a shame to look like we are neglecting our flag,” said Carlstrom.

Local resident and artist Brett Stokes, who has had his art on display in the new library, said it has been a disappointment to him as well.

“The American flag is much needed for the true completion of our new library,” said Stokes. “I feel that a library without a flag is just a barn full of books.”

When contacted for a comment on the flagpole situation at the library, County Supervisor Bill Horn issued the following statement: “I think having a flagpole at every new County building should be part of our planning process. It is a patriotic opportunity that recognizes our great nation and I will be presenting a request to the Board [of Supervisors] to change the County policy that relates to flagpoles and flags at County facilities.” He acknowledged that County regulations did not provide for a flagpole at the library because the building was less than 50,000 square feet.

Raising $12,000 seems to be viewed as doable by involved community members, although the cost the County has quoted for the installation is excessive, some have said.

“When I first got involved I thought perhaps just me and a business friend of mine might be able to just fund it ourselves,” said Springston, “then it turned out to be more than I thought.”

For Carlstrom, the concern over a flagpole began at the library’s grand opening festivities, when the Marine Corps Color Guard performed.

“After the young Marines finished presenting the Colors at the grand opening, they turned to walk away and I felt bad there was no flag flying that they could look back at,” said Carlstrom. “If public buildings don’t have American flags, where have we come; that’s my question.”

Those wishing to make a donation to the flagpole fund can do so by sending a check to Friends of the Fallbrook Library, 124 S. Mission Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028. It is very important to note “flagpole” in the memo line of a check in order for it to be deposited into the correct fund. .

“The Friends will just be the conduit for the money; we will know it is not a donation for other purposes,” said Carlstrom.

Robinson said she continues to be frustrated about the situation.

“The Friends shouldn’t have to ask for donations for this,” she said. “I believe anytime funds are used to build a library or other county or state building, it should always include a flagpole and flag. They don’t seem to have a problem putting a flag on the local welfare office.”