Winter Springs advisory panel finalizes veteran banner program details, OKs broader discharge eligibility

The Winter Springs Veterans Advisory Committee approved detailed rules for a new veteran banner program and voted to accept veterans with either honorable or general discharges as eligible for banners.

Hannah Kirsch, the city’s recreation and events manager, told the committee the program will honor local veterans by displaying commemorative banners on streetlight right-of-ways near Winter Springs Town Center and the Veterans Memorial. "Banners are displayed each year from early January through early June," Kirsch said, and the standard banner size will be 17 by 36 inches on double-sided, weather-resistant vinyl.

The committee approved the program’s fee structure: an initial production and installation fee of $200 and an annual renewal fee of $100 for banners that remain in displayable condition. Kirsch said the city will store banners and inspect them before reinstallation; damaged stored banners may require a $100 replacement at the applicant’s expense. Applications and supporting documents must be completed by Oct. 1 each year, she said.

Applicants will submit an online form on the city website; credit card payment triggers an automatic notification to Kirsch, while cash or check applications will be processed in person. Kirsch described required documentation as proof of military service and proof of residency; acceptable residency proofs include a current driver’s license and a utility bill. "I understand that submission does not guarantee banner installation until it is approved and payment is received," Kirsch said.

Matt Reeser, the city’s communications director, said the city prefers high-resolution service photos but will review lower-quality images case by case. "What we really don't want is a photo that is so blurred, tattered, and bent and folded," Reeser said, explaining that low-quality images can be difficult or costly to restore digitally and can pixelate when enlarged for the banners.

Kirsch gave program capacity and locations: 22 poles (44 banners) on Blumberg, 14 poles (28 banners) on North Tuscawilla, for a total online capacity of 72 banners; the registration system will close automatically when that capacity is reached. She said staff can make the registration page live the day after city commission approval.

On eligibility, the committee debated whether to limit banners to veterans with honorable discharges only. After discussion, committee member Gus Douglas moved to accept both "honorable and general" discharges; Paul Dillman seconded the motion. The committee voted unanimously in favor. Committee members discussed definitions: several members said dishonorable discharges would not be eligible, and the committee agreed to exclude dishonorable discharges.

Other operational details the committee approved or clarified: the application will include a photo/video release, applicants may be notified if a stored banner must be remade before renewal, and refunds will be processed case-by-case if an application is declined quickly after submission.

The committee also discussed vendor logistics and local scanning options for families who need help digitizing old photos; staff said an in-city vendor that can scan photos is already on the city’s vendor list. Kirsch said the communications office will promote the program using press releases, the city website, social channels and the city newsletter.

Votes at a glance: the committee unanimously approved the program details as presented and voted 7–0 to permit both honorable and general discharges as eligible for the banner program. The committee also noted that registration, if approved by the commission, could open the next day and banners would be displayed beginning in January if schedules proceed as planned.

The panel closed the discussion by identifying a staff liaison (Paul Dillman) to work with the recreation office on implementation and testing registration steps, and by asking staff to return to the commission with the final, revised materials in August for formal commission consideration.

Two administrative notes from the discussion: (1) applicants who submit duplicate nominations for the same veteran will be contacted and refunded if they are not the first paid submission; (2) renewal fees and storage/reinstallation are handled by city parks staff.