GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) — There is a proposal in the Green Bay Common Council Chambers about a new flag policy.
District 8 alderperson Chris Wery is requesting the city only fly the American, State, and City flags at City Hall and other city buildings.
"Once you start, it's really not about one flag," Wery said during the Common Council's previous meeting June 28. "It's opening up that Pandora's Box."
Wery's proposal was pitched during Pride Month, when the city flew the Pride flag at City Hall below the American flag.
"We have so much to do as a city," Wery said during the meeting. "Let the political and social commentary take place elsewhere. Let's just focus on uniting under the American flag, State flag, City flag. That's all that we would need."
"I don't know where the controversy is that kicked this off," District 7 alderperson Randy Scannell said.
Scannell is opposed to Wery's request.
"I'm planting my flag pretty solid," Scannell said.
Scannell says the discussion about a new policy seemed to start with the Pride flag.
"At one time, certainly flying that flag would've been provocative and controversial," Scannell said. "But I think those days are behind us, I should certainly hope."
Scannell says he would be in favor of the city flying other flags, for example, supporting Ukraine or the Packers.
"I think to have flexibility to be able to show community support for certain issues is appropriate," Scannell said. "And I trust the mayor to make those decisions."
The Common Council put Wery's request on file during its previous meeting. Wery tells me he will submit it next month.
Wery's proposal also includes featuring approved ceremonial flags inside city buildings.
Wery told me was not available for a one-on-one interview.
