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Mississippi Flag: Local Leaders Discuss What Will Happen in Oxford if State Keeps Current Design
The Mississippi state flag on the Oxford Square before it was removed from city property. / Photo courtesy John Coifed
When the City of Oxford voted Tuesday night to not display the flag of the State of Mississippi on City property, it appears few considered the future should the Mississippi Legislature or a public referendum fail to change the flag.
HottyToddy.com polled the public officials to ask what Oxford would do long term if no change is made to the official flag of the State of Mississippi.
Alderwoman Janice Antonow was quick to state “since it is not a flag for ALL of us, we’ll just wait for one that is,” implying a permanent boycott of the flag despite the will of the people.
‘If the flag is not changed, we will not, of course, create our own image for a state flag. But to display the current flag again would be a sad statement to many of our citizens that we don’t care about the hurt that its image causes,” Alderwoman Antonow said.
Alderwoman Robyn Tannehill
Alderwoman Robyn Tannehill said that the Board hopes a change will be made by the legislature and governor or public vote, but if not, “I believe the Board will revisit the issue.”
“What to do if there is no change? That is a good question,” said Alderman Jay Hughes, a candidate for a seat in the Mississippi Senate. Alderman Hughes said he was “not sure what variables to include . . . but the reality is that our state flag is our state flag. I may disagree with what it has come to symbolize, but I respect the flag until changed.”
Alderman Jay Hughes
“As a military veteran, I followed that same rational with the U.S. flag and the commander in chief. If I were on the school board, I would have voted to keep the flag flying because that is what Mississippi law strictly requires. However, as a city alderman, I voted to remove it because the statutes say that cities may choose to display it or not.”
“If the legislature chooses to not change it, which would be an embarrassment for Mississippi and economic development, then I would likely vote to continue not displaying it,” he added.
Alderwoman Tannehill said the Board’s action was “our vote to send a resolution to our governor and legislators and to cease flying the state flag at city buildings is our attempt to encourage change at the state level. We realize that although we are not flying the state flag, it remains our state flag. Our hope is that our support of change, and that of many communities across the state, will send a strong message to our state officials.”
Mayor Pat Patterson
Oxford Mayor Pat Patterson pointed out the first proposal before the board was by Alderwoman Robyn Tannehill, who had written a resolution to be delivered to the state requesting a change.
“That’s the path I thought we were going to take. I did not know that Janice was going to make a motion to immediately take it down, but it passed 7 to 0. It is the way it works, whether I agree with it or not,” Mayor Patterson said.
Alderman Ulysses “Coach” Howell
Alderman Preston Taylor, who voted to prohibit the current state flag on city property, had “no comment” on future actions on the flag by city leaders. Alderman Ulysses Howell, however, said if no change is made by the state or public vote, he would “suggest we go back to using the flag.”
Ward VI Alderman Jason Bailey said he is hopeful action on the state or public level will be forthcoming, but if not, the city “will want to revisit the situation.”
State Senator Grey Tollison
State Senator Grey Tollison said, “I would vote to change the official state flag to something that all Mississippians could be proud of if given the opportunity. I don’t think the current flag represents who we are as a state and does not recognize the progress we have made in the last 50 years. The official state flag can be changed by a majority vote of the House and Senate with approval by the governor.”
Representative Brad Mayo
Representative Brad Mayo said, “I would prefer that it be settled legislatively next January. The best course is to address the matter and move on.”
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ej
August 20, 2015 at 4:49 pm
Well, let the p c types get it on the ballot and let’s see. I embrace the process and I shall embrace the results. I would also like to see a law that requires all state and local entities to display the state flag. Current or otherwise
Max Hill
August 20, 2015 at 4:50 pm
Jay Hughes is a candidate for the Mississippi House not the Mississippi Senate.
Tom Barnes
August 20, 2015 at 5:04 pm
Time for the battle flag to go. Let it die a peaceful death and move forward. Whether or not you like it, the flag will be changed.
ej
August 20, 2015 at 5:12 pm
Yes there are those who say it is time for a change. While a valid opinion, it is just an opinion and other citizens may not agree. About two thirds of the voters as I remember. But I am open to voting again, and if there are enough who want change, let’s do it. Personally,, I think it goes down again, which is why the pro change crowd is so afraid of a vote.
So let’s vote, and if change wins, I will take down my current flag and put up the new one.
david smith
August 20, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Although I live out of state I have always been proud to call Mississippi my home state and Oxford my home.But today im sad and disappointed by this vote. I am so tired of political correctness and giving in to this ridiculous movement sweeping our country. Although im Stilll a staunch supporter of ole miss im disappointed in coach freeze and the university’s stand as well. They took away our mascot wont be long they will remove the rebel.
charlie parker
August 20, 2015 at 7:14 pm
i think the school should remain neutral and let the politics be taken up by the politicians !! im sure there are plenty of things for coach Freeze and all the Ole Miss staff to concentrate on besides a flag!!!!!!!!
ej
August 20, 2015 at 7:41 pm
I wonder about Freeze. He did not have much to say about it at first. Bjork has been very vocal and I have to wonder if Bjork leaned on the coach to comment.
I wish Bjork would butt out. He is from Kansas and has been here just a few years…..and will walk as soon as someone writes a bigger check.
Taylor
August 20, 2015 at 7:50 pm
I think this is ridiculous and serves no real purpose. If this continues as far as changing the name “Rebels” too then I will be finding a new college team to support.
R.D. Williams
August 20, 2015 at 8:50 pm
A-men ej and Taylor, I agree, every 5 to 6 years they take something else awqy from us. I hope the new Chancellor respect Ole Miss traditions the last two sure didn’t respect anything but Political Correctness!
JM
August 20, 2015 at 9:22 pm
the flag was already voted on and the majority of the people voted to keep it. I guess the PC police are going to keep bringing it up until they get the outcome they want. company’s are not going to miraculously start building in MS just because the flag gets changed. People are still going to look at us as a bunch of backwoods idiots no matter what we do. I have been an Ole miss rebel since Archie played for them but the PC police are about to make me quit being a rebel.
Holly Kelley
August 21, 2015 at 1:13 am
A lot of who-ha over nothing. Whoever started this crap should be whipped. No flag will be for ALL OF US. There are too many that are fine with the flag we have. So it’s a moot point. Politicians need to focus on the things that matter and forget about the political correctness.
Fred Bass
August 21, 2015 at 2:19 am
This is just an embarrassment literally turning your back against your own state.
lacey
August 21, 2015 at 8:12 am
Take it down. Keep it down!
John smith
August 21, 2015 at 8:16 am
If certain people don’t like the rebel flag then take ur sorry ass back to where u came from bc the rebel flag was here long before certain people nni agree freeze gets paid to coach the team not make remarks bout the flag.n if certain athletes don’t like the rebel flag then take ur dirty add to another school .ur here 2 play sports not worry bout the flag !!##
lacey
August 21, 2015 at 8:16 am
“If the legislature chooses to not change it, which would be an embarrassment for Mississippi and economic development, then I would likely vote to continue not displaying it,” he added Me Too. I AGREE AND IT’D THE BEST THINK MS HAS DON IN A LONG TIME. THIS IS WAY OVER DUE! !!! IT’S NOT A PRO US SYMBOL OF MS OR THE SOUTH! !! IF THAT WERE TRUE IT WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE!!!
Rebel Fan
August 21, 2015 at 8:37 am
I agree with Holly, No flag will make everyone happy! This action by the City will not create good will, because it shows total disrespect for the voters of the state. The state flag has flown in Mississippi since 1894, it was designed by the veterans who fought for Mississippi, and it was voted on 14 years ago and won by a 2 to 1 vote! It deserves to fly in Oxford, and in every town in Mississippi.
Jim Hays
August 21, 2015 at 11:05 am
It is, indeed, atrocious that so many lost their lives in this event. The shooter had an automatic (AK47?) and also had a Confederate battle flag. In the aftermath, very little (if indeed, anything) was said about the rifle. ALL and I mean ALL of the remarks, criticism. down–grading. or just plain “cussin'” was about the flag. Nothing was suggested to control, eliminate, banish, etc. the murder weapon. If fact, it received very little if press, To me there is something wrong with this picture.
I got a deferment from the army
to finish my final semester in pharmacy in 1951. I immediately went into the army.(this was during the Korean “police action”!) Since my military discharge, I have flown the Battle flan just under the “stars & stripes” on the same pole most every morning. I just put it up again this morning and will continue to do so regardless of what “political correctness” advocates!
Anonymous
August 21, 2015 at 12:47 pm
The flag has already been voted on to keep it. some people will never be satisfied. so people leave the flag and let it fly.
Dennis Sowell
August 21, 2015 at 12:57 pm
My Stars and Stripes and my Stars and Bars will fly as long as I breath! No politician will take them away.
Joe Gough
August 21, 2015 at 2:27 pm
this PC business has gone FAR over the top . All of these folks who are bending over to PC need to slow down .
Leave the flag alone ! It looks as beautiful as it did when I was at Ole Miss & there is no reason to change it .
These weak sucks who are bent way over for PC will be gone soon .
Go Rebels …Hotty Toddy !
Beau Diddly
August 24, 2015 at 1:37 pm
The Confederate Battle Flag only represents a PORTION of the flag because it represents a PORTION of our state’s history. It is a true flag of diversity, most of it is red, white, and blue.
The PC bullies want to rip down the flag, remove all mention of southern tradition, rename buildings if they’re named after a Confederate soldier, and destroy Confederate statues. It’s not just here the PC bullies are forcing their will upon others, it happens around the world…ISIS.