WOODCLIFF LAKE—The Borough Council unanimously introduced a flag-flying ordinance March 21 that limits the display and flying of flags on public property to six types.
The measure excludes the Pride Flag, which was at the center of council debate last November when the council tabled a flag-flying ordinance, and other identity flags, such as those for the anti-abortion cause. We see no mention of the National League of Families POW/MIA Flag in the ordinance.
A public hearing on Ordinance No. 22-04 is expected at the April 11 meeting.
The flags permitted under Woodcliff Lake’s proposed ordinance include those of the United States, the State of New Jersey, the U.S. Armed Forces, Bergen County, the Borough of Woodcliff Lake, and borough departments.
The ordinance also provides guidelines for flying the U.S. flag at half-staff in memoriam for government leaders, first responders, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The measure was moved by councilwoman Josephine Higgins, seconded by councilman Richard Schnoll, and unanimously introduced by Higgins, Schnoll, Council President Jacqueline Gadaleta, and members Angela Hayes, Jennifer Margolis, and Steven Falanga.
Whether or not to fly the Pride flag to celebrate Pride Month, in June, had provoked emotional meetings and pleas from gay rights advocates to support their cause in the face of decades of discrimination and harassment against the LGBTQI+ communities. It has also been a source of controversy in towns in the Pascack and Northern valley areas.
Last November then-councilman Craig Marson, and Angela Hayes both opposed introduction of an initial flag ordinance that would have prohibited flying the Pride flag on a public flagpole.
When the initial ordinance was tabled, Gadaleta, then newly re-elected, said she “always supported” raising the Pride Flag on municipal flag poles.
Moreover, Gadaleta then asked Borough Attorney John Schettino to research Fair Lawn’s flag-flying policy that she said had mirrored that of the U.S. House of Representatives with respect to the Pride flag.
In 2019, Mayor Carlos Rendo stood with LGBTQI+ advocates on the Centennial Causeway and raised the Pride Flag on borough property for the first time. During the November debate on raising the Pride Flag, Falanga voiced concerns that flying it could create legal issues and pressure the borough to fly flags that it would prefer not to fly.
The Fair Lawn flag-flying policy has established a “celebratory flag pole” on municipal property in front of town hall. Its policy allows the borough to “celebrate the National Commemorative Months, or other nationally recognized days or weeks within such months, as selected by the Council at its discretion.” During months when no commemorative flag is being flown, Fair Lawn’s ordinance specifies its borough flag will be flown.
For 2022, the celebratory flag pole features five months during which the borough flag flies and seven months featuring celebratory flags:
- February, National Black History Month;
- March, National Women’s History Month;
- April, National Sikh Awareness Month, National Autism Awareness Month, and National Law Enforcement Memorial Flag (April 17 in memory of Police Officer Maryann Collura);
- May, National Jewish American Heritage Month, National Pacific Islander Heritage Month and National Police Week (May 15);
- June, National LGBTQ Gay Pride Month, Juneteenth;
- September, National Hispanic Heritage Month; and
- November, National Native American Heritage Month.