A Colorado apartment complex has clarified its policy after a resident resisted a request to remove an American flag from his balcony.
On June 22, Samuel Adams of Greeley, Colorado received a letter from the Sterling Heights apartments, which said the American flag hanging from his balcony was in violation of the building’s community policy. According to the letter, Adams’ balcony was “clutter(ed) with personal belongings.”
Adams took to Facebook and YouTube, promising to keep the flag flying from his balcony even if it meant eviction.
After the post went viral last week, representatives of the Echelon Property group responded by clarifying their community policy. Now, residents at Sterling Heights are able to fly American and Colorado state flags in a respectful manner in a stand so it falls freely.”
“In response to the notice you received last week regarding the displaying of an American flag on your balcony, we sincerely apologize for the request to remove it and the reaction this has caused,” said a letter from Drake Powell, principal of Echelon Property group. “The notice was not intended to be un-American, unpatriotic or insensitive to all that our great country stands for. This request was one of several made in the ordinary course of business regarding the upkeep and maintenance of our community.”
“It has been our policy to make sure that our communities are kept up nicely and that things are clean and crisp throughout the properties and balconies,” Powell said in an interview with the Greeley Tribune. “Unfortunately, our manager took that notion to an extreme.”
Adams says he is appreciative of the support that his video has garnered, and says he plans to fly his flag all year long.
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
