The Rangeview Library district refuses to acknowledge their error and now the media has begun to question them.

The Rangeview Library District’s refusal to acknowledge their error in not putting flagpoles with the United States flag at their new facilities is only serving to fuel the fire.  Radio and television news outlets are now seizing on the story first broken here on TonysRants.com. 

Through a grassroots effort spurred on by word-of-mouth and the Internet, taxpayers are demanding answers as to why the library district has funds for big screen TVs and fireplaces but did not choose to honor our national ensign.  The response from Rangeview / Anythink, its director Pam Sandlian-Smith, its governing board and the Adams County Commissioners has been dismissive.  

• Update – See video of Tony’s appearance on Channel 7

Sandlian-Smith sent out canned responses to those that emailed her saying they would have flags in their main meeting rooms by June 23^rd.  That has likely happened but that is not good enough.  

The people want answers and they want the United States flag flown high and proud in front of the libraries that they paid for.  The flags should have been part of the original design for the new libraries to begin with – not an afterthought.  

This morning, Thornton Mayor Erik Hansen and former Adams County Commissioner Marty Flaum took to the airwaves to push for a proper resolution.  Appearing on the Peter Boyles Show on KHOW, Hansen and Flaum demanded the district correct the problem and fly the flag.  Props to Mayor Hansen for pushing this issue forward.  

• Click here to listen to the audio from the show

Boyles is working to contact the Adams County Commissioners and Sandlian-Smith today and hopes to have them on his show tomorrow. 

This afternoon, at 5:00pm on Fox 31, Mayor Hansen will be discussing the issue.  (Click here for the story and video from Fox 31)

Yours truly, Tony of TonysRants.com, will be on Channel 7 ‘The Denver Channel’ during their 4:00pm newscast.  (Click here to view the video from the Channel 7 story)

At this point, there is only one solution that will be acceptable.  

An RFP should be sent out immediately to solicit bids from contractors for the installation of flagpoles at all Rangeview / Anythink facilities.  At least one flagpole for the display of the United States flag needs to be purchased and ideally a second for the Colorado state flag.  Once properly evaluated, the installation should take place posthaste.  

Further, at least one free-standing United States flag and pole should be purchased for use within the library.  This flag should be made available to any community groups that wish to have it when utilizing the facilities.  

The installation and display of the flags should of course be in accordance with the “U.S. Flag Code” – United States Code Title 4 Section 1. 

This is what needs to take place.  Period.  Nothing short of the above steps will quell the debate.  It also wouldn’t hurt for the district to apologize! 

The sad thing is that Rangeview / Anythink really brought this on themselves.  When the issue was brought up, all they had to do was say, “We will fix it” and install the flagpoles. 

Instead, they refused to acknowledge their error and chose to try to defend their utter disregard for the single greatest symbol of liberty in the world.  For that, they cannot be forgiven. 

H/T to CompleteColorado.com for helping to push this issue forward.

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