Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Commemorations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Human Relations Commission begins planning 'Hometown Heroes' flags project; families likely to fund flags
Summary
Vice Chair Edna Arguello Hitchner told the commission she is compiling a proposal to display flags featuring photographs of local veterans; preliminary cost estimates range from about $70 to $150 per flag and the project model used by neighboring towns typically asks families to pay for individual flags.
The Franklin Township Human Relations Commission entered a fact‑finding phase on a proposed “Hometown Heroes” flag program that would display flags featuring photographs of residents who have served in the U.S. armed forces.
Edna Arguello Hitchner, who introduced herself as vice chair of the commission, said she and a township project manager met with officials in neighboring communities and with the company gateflags.com to gather costs and logistics. Hitchner said a formal proposal with pricing will be prepared for the next commission meeting and will be submitted to the township manager and council for consideration.
Hitchner told commissioners the project model used in other towns generally relies on families to pay for the flags. She said flag prices vary by size and vendor; the transcript records a range “anywhere depending on the size, you know, can can range upwards of, you know, $70 to upwards of a hundred and $50.” Hitchner said outreach plans would include a website form for nominations with required information such as the honoree’s name and branch of service, and that she had consulted the Chamber of Commerce and community leaders at Canal Walk for endorsement.
Commissions members raised practical questions Hitchner said the commission would address, including how long flags would be displayed (some communities remove flags during winter to avoid weather damage), where flags would be placed within township property, how to verify eligibility and how to handle records for veterans who live in retirement communities such as Canal Walk. Hitchner said the commission is assembling a written plan and will return with a proposal and cost estimates at a future meeting.
Hitchner said she had asked the project manager to consult Assembly office contacts for local guidance and that the commission intends to coordinate with the township manager and council once a formal project plan is complete.
