Video: Council Reaches Compromise On State Flag In Front Of New Police Headquarters

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – City councilmembers in Tupelo reach a compromise that will allow the state’s bicentennial flag to fly at the new police headquarters, instead of the state flag, for one year.

In an unanimous vote, council members approved an amendment to a policy that called for the state flag to fly at city buildings, any time there is  more than one flag pole.

There are three flag poles in front of the new police headquarters, which is located in the Park Hill neighborhood, a predominately minority neighborhood.

The amendment allows Mississippi’s bicentennial flag to fly from December 10 2016 until December 10 2017, instead of the state flag.

Councilmembers say the compromise is fair.

“We’ve gotten a lot of letters, we’ve had a lot of criticism, we’ve had, to the point of almost name calling, as a council, we can handle it, I understand concerns, but I think this shows we are a compromising council, we try and do everything for the good of Tupelo,” said Council President Buddy Palmer.

“It was really something that I was concerned about, being in the Park Hill area, where there was a lot of unhappiness about it, a lot of the businesses and leaders in the city was unhappy about it,” said Ward 4 Councilwoman Nettie Davis, who represents the Park Hill neighborhood.

Councilwoman Davis says she is hopeful state lawmakers will tackle the flag issue during their upcoming session.   The amendment does not impact any other municipal building.