Posted on 01/19/2007 3:16:24 AM PST by jsh3180
WEST PALM BEACH - (AP) -- Officials in the ritzy coastal town of Palm Beach voted Thursday to fine Donald Trump $1,250 a day for flying a large American flag atop an 80-foot flagpole at his lavish club in violation of town codes.
Code enforcement officials have accused the real estate mogul of violating zoning guidelines with a flagpole taller than 42 feet, for not obtaining a building permit, and for not getting permission from the landmarks board.
Trump has refused to take down the flag. He has also filed a $25 million lawsuit against the town arguing, in part, that officials are selectively enforcing ordinances and that flying the American flag at his Mar-A-Lago club is a constitutionally protected expression of free speech.
''The town council of Palm Beach should be ashamed of itself,'' Trump said Thursday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. ``They're fining me for putting up the American flag. This is probably a first in United States history.''
Trump's club hoisted the 15-by-25-foot flag atop the 80-foot pole at the sprawling waterfront site on Oct 3. The town had given him until Nov. 27 to remove the flag or apply for approvals.
''I think Mr. Trump, the property owner, picked this fight. I think he's been provocative,'' said Martin Fried, a member of the town's Code Enforcement Board.
Trump said Thursday he would not pay any fines and would keep the flag flying.
''It's all up in the court,'' he said. ``It'll be a long time, unfortunately.''
If he sold used cars in his front yard, he'd be legal.
I detest Donald Trump yet on this issue, I wish him success.
I glad it is Trump doing this. He has the money and power to make a fight of it.
Simply waving a flag doesn't make one a patriot. Skeptical of Trump's intentions; he could simply be after more time in the limelight.
"Simply waving a flag doesn't make one a patriot. Skeptical of Trump's intentions; he could simply be after more time in the limelight."
True, but standing up for the flag and hosing Rosie will get some cheers from me in an otherwise dreary month. Light those limes!
Absolutely - and if Trump doesn't like the outcome, he can buy the town and change the ordinance.
Yes, Trump was an instigator in this matter - but he is expressing his free speech rights.
It's so funny - if he were burning US Flags in a public place, they would be praising him for expressing his free speech. But display the Colors proudly (and from what I understand not in a gaudy or otherwise offensive manner) and he gets fined.
Someone please remind me - what country is this? The old Soviet Union?
''It's all up in the court,'' he said. ``It'll be a long time, unfortunately.''
you have to appreciate on some level - how this guy thinks LOL
H'mm badmouthing Rosie now getting fined for flag waving. Does he have political ambitions?
re: "Simply waving a flag doesn't make one a patriot. Skeptical of Trump's intentions; he could simply be after more time in the limelight."
True, but I think I will put this in the same category as the story in the Bible where the disciples came to Jesus complaining that someone was out curing people and casting out devils in Christ's name but wasn't a part of their group. They expected Jesus to make them stop, but instead he told them not to worry that good works stand on their own, regardless of who does them.
I think the huge flag, rubbing the city the wrong way, does a lot of good regardless of this motive for displaying it.
The Palm Beach Snobs are afraid they might have to put an american flag in THEIR front yards or they will appear anti american.
Imagine all thos rich leftists having to put up flags they hate.
[you have to appreciate on some level - how this guy thinks LOL]
Exactly. Trump actually accomplishes several objectives with this one little act of defiance.
BTW, I'd love to be a fly on the wall at one of the Palm Beach City Council meetings, I'm sure it's hilarious.
OK ASK THIS:
WHERE ARE THE FLAGS AT THE OTHER MANSIONS??????
If they are allowed a pole 1/2 as high, where are the flags of the opposition?
Why don't those other rich snobs have "code" flag poles?
Perhaps we need a survey of THEIR homes!
Ya think ? ;-)
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