Homer Township citizens proclaim, bash flight flag the other way up

Homer Township Manager Steve Balich reiterated his aid Monday for flight the U.S. flag the other way up on the township workplaces within the aftermath of former President Donald Trump’s to blame verdict.

“I have no regrets about the flag, and I did not break any laws,” Balich mentioned within the first population assembly since he ordered the U.S. flag flown the other way up on Would possibly 31 to sign that the community used to be in misery. “I just wanted to make a point and have a lot of people talking about it, and a lot of people have been talking about it.”

Part of the 16 population audio system at Homer Township’s assembly Monday affirmative with Balich and voiced their aid for his independence of tonality.

“He has a right as an American to say this was a dark day in America,” mentioned Jan Nahorski, a Joliet resident and Military veteran. Nahorski used to be amongst a handful of veterans who defended Balich’s proper to independence of accent.

Fewer than 1/2 of the audio system Monday mentioned Balich’s movements weren’t suitable for a pacesetter who is meant to constitute all society within the people, future a couple of citizens requested to finish the partisan divide and cancel the infighting.

“Bringing up the negative constantly and rehashing it and failing to move forward isn’t going to help the community grow,” Heidi Pacella mentioned.

Teresa Kocanda mentioned getting alongside wishes first of all management. She mentioned she is bored with shenanigans, disrespect and the people solid in a unfavorable shiny, and that it’s past for Balich to step i’m sick.

“This flag is not a Republican flag. It’s not a Democrat flag. It’s an American flag,” Kocanda mentioned. “It represents every man and woman who put on a uniform, fought and died for this flag, and I thank every one of the veterans for that.”

About 45 society attended the township board assembly, which used to be full of much appreciated and boos as society stood and made their statements.

At a number of instances, township Clerk Vicki Bozen requested for calm and admire future society have been talking and as soon as requested for the Will County sheriff deputy on accountability to intrude when an target market member puzzled if a pro-Trump speaker used to be electioneering.

Resident Jessica Barnes mentioned just about 950 society signed an internet petition asking Balich to step i’m sick within the wake of the flag controversy. She mentioned she presumed about 600 of the ones signatures are from township citizens.

Barnes mentioned the township board is continuously one-sided, mentioning when it voted to develop into a sanctuary for age, or anti-abortion people or when it authorized a answer to give protection to the 2d Modification.

“This is just another example of you and your board shoving your opinions down the throats of all of us residents,” she mentioned. “You don’t represent me and you don’t represent a lot of people here, and it’s getting embarrassing.”

Alternative citizens, then again, mentioned they may get a hold of a petition in aid of Balich’s movements.

Homer Glen Trustee Dan Fialko mentioned Balich turning the flag the other way up for the presen used to be remarkable to these citizens who felt in a similar fashion.

“It takes a leader to do things out of the ordinary,” Fialko mentioned. “For the people you represented, you shouldn’t step down. You should step up. You did the right thing for the people of this community.”

Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike mentioned she isn’t unstable that Balich thinks the rustic is in misery and concurs that the rustic is in bother, however the flag must now not fly the other way up on a municipal construction. She famous that as a people chief, she will be able to most effective fly a flag at half-staff.

“I am a Republican. I did not like and still don’t like what happened to Mr. Donald Trump, but I don’t have that right to speak for everybody in the village,” Neitzke-Troike mentioned.

The village of Homer Glen excused a remark June 4, announcing the township’s movements weren’t supported by way of the village.

“Although the Village of Homer Glen and Homer Township are two very separate government entities, this is not always understood,” a portion of the remark mentioned. “Both entities do represent the citizens, and the actions have angered and disrespected not only those who have proudly served our country but also those critical of the use of a government property to push their own political agenda.”

The Rev. Thomas J. Loya, pastor of Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen, mentioned the U.S. flag may have other meanings from flight it in victory to being at mourning when it’s at half-staff. He mentioned Trump’s trial will have took place to anyone, and alternative establishments must fly their flags the other way up.

“It was about expressing that our country is in distress,” Loya mentioned. “It was about once again a glaring, glaring example of how our cherished institutions — education, government, justice system — all of them have been commandeered as venues to push ideologies, and their integrities about which this country founded has been eroded.”

Board member Mike Clausen mentioned he helps Balich’s proper to fly the flag the other way up.

“I’ll always stand behind anyone sticking up for the rights of this country and to express yourself when it needs to be done,” Clausen mentioned.

Homer Township Freeway Commissioner Brent Porfilio mentioned the First Modification promises the suitable to protest and talk freely.

“Democracy and freedom is what everybody fights for,” Porfilio mentioned. “It doesn’t matter how they protest or express themselves, but we have to accept it.”

Michelle Mullins is a contract reporter for the Day by day Southtown