The mayor of a Florida city stepped in after a city worker cited a business owner for flying military flags.
The owner of Jaguar Power Sports, who has opted to remain anonymous, said in a Facebook video that the worker cited him once for each of the military service branch flags he flew on the roof of his business.
The owner told Fox 30 that the worker also told a veteran at the store who took issue with the citation that his opinion “didn’t matter.”
“I voiced my opinion that I was a veteran and I don’t appreciate it,” he said. “At that point, she turned to me and said, ‘Well, your opinion doesn’t really matter at this point. I’m here to discuss this with the owner.”
Surveillance footage appears to show the worker, later identified as Melinda Power, wagging he finger at the owner.
Power has been placed on leave pending a review of the citations she issued, reported Action News.
1. I Have directed city staff that military flags should be treated same as US flag. Let them fly. I Have reached out to the business owner & will review employee procedures. COJ employees r expected to be respectful of our customers – you, the people of Jacksonville.
— Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) April 16, 2018
“Employees of the City of Jacksonville are the servants of taxpayers who have a duty to enforce our laws and regulations. I expect every one of them to do that job in a manner that is respectful and reflects the privilege we all have to serve this great city. What I saw reported is 100 percent inconsistent with how I expect every city employee to interact with our citizens,” Mayor Lenny Curry said in a statement.
Power apologized for what happened via her Facebook page. “I should never have been unprofessional and disrespectful period. Sincerely apologize,” she wrote.
The owner of Jaguar Power Sports said he wanted Power to be reprimanded but stressed he does not want her to be fired.
Curry said via Twitter that he has directed city employees to treat military branch flags like American flags from now on.
“I have directed city staff that military flags should be treated same as US flag. Let them fly. I have reached out to the business owner and will review employee procedures. COJ employees r expected to be respectful of our customers, you, the people of Jacksonville,” he wrote. “We support our military and veterans, and we appreciate businesses who honor their service.”
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