Carson mayor resolves Michael Jackson flag controversy
Even in death, Michael Jackson and controversy can’t seem to stay away from each other.
The latest dust-up comes in Carson, a working-class city the singer may never have set foot in, a universe away from Jackson’s haunts in Neverland, Bahrain or Holmby Hills.
The problem started when Mayor Jim Dear ordered the American flag outside City Hall dropped to half-staff the day of Jackson’s funeral, an honor usually reserved for dead presidents, heroes and other public officials.
Dear, 56, says he wasn’t a Jackson fan.
"I have issues with his lifestyle," he said.
Several people in the city, younger than 35, though, contacted him suggesting the flag be lowered.
"It made sense to me," he said.
Then came the letters, the e-mails, the phone calls, the letters, about 30 in all, from around the country, excoriating his decision.
"My view is it’s a generational schism," he said.
Like a Michael Jackson dance step, Dear did an about face. He introduced legislation that the City Council passed Tuesday that says that the mayor can no longer order the American flag lowered.
His authority now is limited to the city flag.
-- Jeff Gottlieb
Photo: Carson mayor Jim Dear. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Sad, very sad that one can not make a decision and just stand by it. You gain greater respect when you do.
Posted by: Patricia Mori | August 06, 2009 at 04:14 PM
I bet it if it were Elvis they wouldnt mind... Find a hobby losers!
Posted by: me | August 06, 2009 at 04:29 PM
As a Big MJ fan I want to say that I Love You Mayor Jim Dear
Posted by: Mim | August 06, 2009 at 05:17 PM
From Italy MJ fans .......I Love You MORE Mayor Jim Dear
Posted by: Giorgio | August 08, 2009 at 05:49 AM