The City of Clayton on Tuesday put-up, and took-down several dozen thin blue line flags, which are meant to show support for police.
Laura Hoffmeister with the City of Clayton says these were to be donated replacement American flags by a couple of long-time residents and they did not provide the correct flag type.
Hoffmeister said as soon as it came to the supervisors attention that this replacement flag was not the approved replacement (not the standard American flag that was agreed to), they were removed and returned to the regular American Flag.
Hoffmeister said when the resident was asked if this was a misunderstanding, they stated no, they intended to provide an alternative type of American flag.
She said in order to fly the thin blue line flags, they would need to have City Council prior approval.
Clayton City Councilwoman Tuija Catalano at last night’s Clayton City Council meeting said she wants to see if the city could ask the residents who donated the flags to reimburse the city for the time it took to put-up and take-down the flags. She said “it’s one thing to replace the flags with one-to-one the same flags, it’s one thing to deceive staff with a different flag.”
photo credit: Matt Foley
Perhaps Clayton would be wise not to accept anything else from this particular “benefactor”.
And MAYBE, just MAYBE, open the boxes before you send them out to be hung?
And perhaps Clayton would be wise to vote out Tuija Catalano. What a disgusting, cheap, ungrateful, horrible creature she is.
well it appears democrats dont like to be democrated
lol the hoff of her rocker again
i like clayton i like its clean and keeps out the bums
my question is why are democrats not in support of america and the people who protect it …..are they afraid of backlash
well i am sorry hoff ….but your job is not to appease those who scare you
it is to provide the best job to the people all of the people and to come to a middle ground and show them why it is the right thing to do for all
pandering to fear means your job is not needed ….
i mean just let the neighbors fight it out …because that is exactly what you are doing …..
somewhere along the line democrats have decided to make america right for the few who scare them …..
if i was able to go to that meeting she would hear that all of us are here and all of us want to be represented ……not just the ones you fear …..it appears you job needs to go to someone better suited to the needs of everyone ….
here is your pink slip you things will be sent to the parking lot with in the hour
Thank you! My sentiments precisely.
Let’s be clear. When Clayton residents say ‘bums’, they always mean not-whites and people under the age of thirty they aren’t directly related too
@RANDOM TASK,….Thank You for your post.
The American Flag represents all the people. She did the right thing.
@Natalie
The Raindow flag is affiliated with no government entity at all, yet it was flying above three city locations. The Thin Blue Line and Rainbow flags are equal. Representing people trying to be respected for who they are and what they do.
@Vdb
No, that is not what they mean. You must be so brainwashed by the leftest medai, oh sorry I mean woke, to think that everything is a race issue.
Media*, sorry I was on my phone.
@ RANDOM TASK
So, to be clear, you do not support the flying of the American flag to celebrate Independence Day?
Just making sure I’ve got that right.
Laura absolutely did the right thing. Replacement = original. Alternative/substitute = something other than original. In this case it was the latter and the donators didn’t bother to tell the City what they were doing. In fact, per the article, the agreed flag was the American flag but the donators admitted that they intended not to honor the agreement? Oh that’s OK then. Just buy what you want and get the City to spend the money to put them up for you. Now if Council resolved to put up TBL flags instead, or any other flag for that matter, then you’re good. Rainbow, TBL, TRL, Libertarian, don’t care. You get permission from the right person/people. City managers have some admin leeway but not when it comes to this issue. It’s gotta come from Council. And she doesn’t care one bit what the Council thinks. She’s acting CM for the second time. Not good enough to be the CM full-time but good enough when you don’t have one? She’s just trying to keep the City afloat for whomever they choose next.
Why isn’t anyone angry at the benefactors who deceived (per Catalano) the City? Why couldn’t they just do what was agreed? Why waste the City’s time and money? And why be secretive about it? I’m all for the police and the TBL but not on the 4th of July. We’re all Americans that day, not factions wanting to get our voices heard the most. The only flag that should be displayed by government on the 4th is the American flag.
I hope your Police Dept sees that you don’t support them!!! Now who are you going to call!!!
It’s not the US flag. The flags are supposed to be for the 4th of July, I would assume. So it makes sense to not display it, since it’s literally not the US flag. The person who donated this flag was obviously trying to create controversy.
If Clayton approves a variation of the US flag, then for equal allowances of Free Speech they would have to accept any variation of the US flag that any citizen wants displayed on public property.
It looks like the city *assumed* the flags would be replaced with identical U.S. flags and it not the fault of the person who donated the flags for the city’s neglect to clarify the terms of the donation prior to accepting the flags. Further, once the flags were donated, the city still had the option to not install them, so the person who donated them is not responsible for the cost.
I’ve lived here for 30 years and I’m leaving oh, this is why. A Democrat wasting time
Oh, God NO !!! Not the police !!!
Don’t we all just hate the brutal, racisssss cops from Clayton, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Martinez and the CHP?
Call a Social Worker!!
AD
The Clayton city council and mayor should be spending their time on more important issues, such as what happens to our bucolic little town when Gavin’s unconstitutional shutdown “orders” drives all of the local businesses out of business? All of the restaurants are hurting badly, as is the one bar located downtown. Do they really want to wake up six months from now to a completely empty downtown, all of the local businesses bankrupted? How about holding a city council meeting on that topic?
Precisely!
It is our Governor, a raving Democrat, who has instituted the house arrest of law-abiding citizens of the State, and, at the same time, the release of the incarcerated to prey upon them. Donald Trump had nothing to do with that.
Sorry Roz…I meant Mrs. Roz 🙂
Interesting…someone must have shared ugly thoughts as our post were deleted Roz. Have a great weekend . You and fam stay safe.
“Clayton City Councilwoman Tuija Catalano at last night’s Clayton City Council meeting said she wants to see if the city could ask the residents who donated the flags to reimburse the city for the time it took to put-up and take-down the flags.”
No, really? Get the f… out of here! It was THIER mistake, LOL…
whome,…totally agree.
Thank you. The person who donated knew exactly what they were doing.
Why would the donor be responsible for the cost of putting up and taking down the flags? The responsibility lies with the City Council to determine if the donated flags were acceptable before the City put them up. Politicians need to start taking responsibility for their own actions.
This is a perfect example of how the City of Clayton is mismanaged, beginning with a Special Assessment to Property Taxes that collects a “surplus” in funds, theoretically to decorate the medians. It is, in fact, a slush fund for the City’s pet projects and illegal use of public funds.
This is a perfect example of how the City of Clayton is mismanaged, beginning with a Special Assessment to Property Taxes that collects a “surplus” in funds, theoretically to decorate the medians. It is, in fact, a slush fund for the City’s pet projects.
I’m glad Clayton quickly removed them when it was realized they were not the right flag. And as for the “benefactors” who donated them, they should be ashamed of themselves for trying to switch the flags. They obviously knew it was wrong or they would have just been clear about their intentions.
Is there a yellow line version to “honor” city officials?
It might be “arranged.”
I wonder if these were Pride flag would there be the same outcome. Who doesn’t know what the time blue line flags are…. I’m thinking the city was contacted by an anti-police type of person, are had a disagreement internally.
@Willis There would not have been the same outcome if they had been Pride flags because Clayton flew a gay pride flag on it’s flagpole during the month of June
Clayton was flying the Gay Pride Flag the last time I was in town. This July 4, more than any other, I believe we should be showing our full support for our Clayton police officers, and the Thin Blue Line flag is the right way to do it. The Clayton Police Department protects our freedoms, maintain law and order, and keep our city peaceful. July 4th is a good time to thank them for it.
@ Gitty Up
The American flag should be flown to celebrate Independence Day.
@Fat Cat Sure, fly one somewhere in the display.
Very weak. Support the PD they are part of the community. Do not alienate them.
Maybe the police should stop being so scared of the community and treating us like the enemy. If you are so scared for your life maybe look for another job. The entire concept of the thin blue line is such BS anyways and only further divides the police from the community.
@ Walter Macy
So, to be clear, you do not support the flying of the American flag to celebrate Independence Day?
Clayton City Councilwoman Tuija Catalano needs to be voted out. Obviously not a clear thinker. In this moment in time what is wrong with paying respect to the people doing their best to keep us safe. This would be a Mad Max World without them.
This is the second major, newsworthy blunder Catalano has made recently. She put her foot in it over the “Send Her Back” Special at the deli. Another lawyer who ended up in City government. She needs to go and so does Hoffmeister.
Boycott Clayton. Cop haters !
US flags we’re to be replaced by US flags. Instead, special interest flags we’re substituted. Not equivalent and therefore not acceptable. Case closed.
Corrected: US flags were to be replaced with US flags. Instead, special interest flags were substituted. Not equivalent and therefore not acceptable. Case closed.
All Lies Matter……
Wow people I can not believe you think the or any city council has your interests first
They are inherently corrupt and push their own narratives with your money
Yep with slush funds and petty funds and incidentals
You can fire a mayor and hold them accountable
Knut some yay hoos decided to use council and gave them absolute power and golden parachutes and the power to bleed your money from you while offering little in return
Only thing you can do is not vote for them but if a seat is empty they can fill it with who ever they see fit
So your screwed either way
Have no one to blame but yourselves for allowing yourselves to be ruled
Why are you so outraged that the City of Clayton is going to fly American flags on Independence Day?
Personally, I have to put up and hear every whiny group that feels they are put upon but yet when anything conservative or law abiding comes up it is either hidden by the media or slammed.
It is a two way street and everyone-I mean everyone’s opinion matters-I am tired of feeling threatened if I say anything that does not follow the socialistic, democratic, liberal point of view.
When you need a cop or fireman or first responder don’t go crying to the world and media that no one came to help you. You made this mess and as the old saying goes “you made your bed now lie in it”.
If we erase our history we are bound to relive it again. Learn from the past don’t erase and destroy it.
Hear hear, agree with you. The oh so tolerant Bay Area … only if you share their views
You’re not alone, Sam. I feel your pain.
My Family has been in Fire Service and Police Service for over 80 years. Fly the Standard Flag. It is the flag of our Country. No special flags need to be flown by a Governmental entity. If you want a specialized flag by all means buy one and fly it on your personal property. Problem solved.
100% agree. Simple solution but it would only be accepted if government could find a way to make it cost the taxpayers $10 billion and change.
Been displaying my AMERICAN flag 24/7 for 20+ years. No plans to replace it with any other. I don’t mind what others do but it does bug the heck out of me when it is not displayed correctly.
Simonpure~
Cool on displaying AMERICAN flag for many years.
Hope we haven’t been displaying ours incorrectly,…I will check into it.
Have a Great Day!
If you are flying it 24/7, you’re displaying it improperly. It is to be raised (or set) at daybreak and lowered (or removed) at sunset. It is not to be flown in inclement weather. Their are other rules regarding displaying the flag, as well. The flags usually come with instructions which apparently nobody reads.
@Gittyup
From the flag code, “ The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.”
“ The U.S. Flag Code addresses the rules for flying flags, rain or shine. … The United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, states: “The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.”
I don’t know what kind of flag or lighting he has, but you can fly it at night or in the rain.
Gittyup~
Yes, I double checked and was correct on flag display.
Ours is not out 24/7 or bad weather,….bring in at sunset.
Well aware Gittyup. My flag is well lighted and out of the elements. Have studied flag educate in great detail. Something that is important to me. Thank you though. Hopefully you have educated others.
According to the US Flag Code, all American flags should be displayed from sunrise to sunset every day. Lowering the flag at night is an ultimate sign of respect for Old Glory. But like many rules, there is an exception. You can keep your flag flying 24-hours if it is properly illuminated during all hours of darkness.
I would love to fly the thin blue line flag in my yard to support Law Enforcement, is there anyway those that wish to show their support could use those flags? Just because the City does not want to use them, others could……
….utilize them! I’ll take one and proudly fly it next to my American flag on my property.
Why in the hell would the person who donated the flags be asked to PAY? They know what flags they hung up. Now they are getting crap for it and want to pass the blame on to someone else!! Pull your head out of ….. the sand! Everyone’s lives matter
I think the creation or display of an altered American flag in anyway is disrespectful and ignorant and worse than kneeling (which is actually a sign of respect, black people just don’t realize it lol). Those people are stupid and should be named and shamed haha
I don’t know about the shaming part, but I totally agree as to modifying the flag. Does anybody else find this weird and disrespectful? The flag is the flag.
The Council did the right thing by removing the flags. The couple who supplied the flags knew exactly what they were doing, trying to skirt the rules. I am certainly supportive of our police dept. My husband is a retired Police officer from another county. The idea is to place the traditional flag to celebrate Independence Day. My the way, I’m a Democrat and proud of it.
Years ago we had a pretty good city council in Walnut Creek but that was before the lacking common sense left took over like it did everywhere else.
There are several points in this story that gin up the vitriol on both sides. I think that there is a middle ground vs. the extremes that I am seeing here.
1. The flags are not US flags. This is the only reason that I believe that they should not be flown by the city. I am a big fan of the police and the crap that they are being put through, but no government should fly flags in support of ANY “special interest”.
If you want to honor the police, then please fly the blue line flag at home or on you vehicle.
2. My definition of “special interest” includes political parties, private companies, rainbows, religious symbols, etc. POW/MIA is fine in my book.
3. The politicians caused this uproar. They obviously didn’t think it through very well. Why is it ok for the city to fly a rainbow but not a blue line? I’ll answer that one for you all: It is not ok to fly either.
4. More politician blunder: Why didn’t somebody open the box (or read the product description on the side of the box) before having these flags hung? I learned the rule of 6 Ps when I was in the Army and our leaders never did.
Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. Words to live by!
5. The most egregious politician mistake: Having the gall to wonder out loud if the city should go after the donor for reimbursement. What The Hell! You made the mistake (see #1 and #4) and you want someone punished?
Catalano’s hubris apparently knows no bounds. I’m surprised she didn’t refer to the donors as “deplorables”.
What about the rainbow flag that flew in downtown for all of June? That’s certainly a special interest. Hypocracy is alive and well in america
Thanks, Professor. Well done.
The argument for the “pride” flag was that it is the only flag that’s “all inclusive” and that the American is not. You see, the American flag can cause feelings of stress and it makes some people uncomfortable.
@ KC-
I referenced the rainbow flag twice in my post.
The flags on the light posts should be the American Flag. Nothing else. The flags on the flagpole should be the American Flag above all others. The state flag immediately below it. POW/MIA below that. Nothing else!
Catalano and Hoffmeister are free to fly whatever flag they wants on their property. They are not free to fly whatever suits them on OUR property.
@1791
How is the pride flag all inclusive? I am a straight man and I don’t feel included by the pride flag.
I wish the city counsels would just fly the American Flag only and the MIA flag on appropriate holidays. The American flag represents all Americans.
I would like it if the tacky rainbow flag wasn’t flown over our civic buildings and public spaces. I would rather the city government’s stick to government flags and not kowtow to GAY incorporated and the Genderism mob. I also don’t want to see a hetero pride flag flown either. Not the cop flag…..just an American flag and yes, on VE day, veterans day, and 4th of July a MIA flag is welcome.
CAtoTX,
If you express your opinion that the American flag is all inclusive to an LGBTQ rights activist, you are most likely going to be told that American flag is a symbol of the systemic racism that our forefather’s ingrained into every founding document, every amendment, and every law to date.
Their rebuttal is that the Pride flag, even though it was adopted as THE symbol of the LGBTQ movement, is the only true all inclusive symbol that represents everyone without prejudice. They say the colors of the current rainbow flag represent:
Life
Healing
Sunlight
Nature
Harmony
Spirit
The flag has been altered from it’s adoption to represent LGBTQ by having two colors representing Sex & Magic/Art removed.
The argument is that it the Pride flag is all inclusive and not meant to exclude anyone based on the list above. Their mindset, not mine.
The staff feel deceived? Well now they know how we feel…….
“… reimburse the city for the time it took to put-up and take-down the flags.” …
“… deceive staff …” ? ? ?
And there’s hard proof that happened ? ? ?
EXCUse me, am Clayton resident.
An just which staff member, COULDN’T be bothered to to take the briefest of looks at something which is going to be displayed on city streets prior to deployment ? ? ?
Appears A-dult supervision is lacking on several levels !
Someone needs to do that thing for Catalano that they do to get people to stop swearing. Every time they swear, they get fined $5. Well, every time Catalano puts her foot in her mouth and makes herself look stupid she should have to forfeit her stipend for that month.
To the person who donated the flags please post here. I would love buy one of them to fly from my house
me too!!!
She said in order to fly the thin blue line flags, they would need to not be completely wimpy Liberals
Fixed that for ya
Maybe the should fly the thin blue line flag at city hall to honor the police.They had no problem flying the rainbow flag to honor the LGBT.
Careful Wizard, they say the rainbow flag is NOT meant to represent a lifestyle, it represents EVERYONE. You see, it’s better than the American flag!
Clayton city Council is a pathetic group of appeasers.
Hi Frank,
Yes they are!
Clayton PD is a joke! Really let’s turn 4th of July about them now. I thought this was about America not just about police. Way to go! I will definitely have to excuate this year with this crap living on Marsh Creek rd. Why can’t we just keep the peace let’s stop this crap! Thanks Clayton! I’ll send the hotel and food bill to you. When my power is out for 2 days. Happy 4th! Lol
The problem lies with the public school system that teaches the President himself is a domestic terrorist and Police are murderers.
“Clayton PD is a joke!”
Absolutely disagree. My morning commute begins, dark n early, with pulling out my driveway parking then warming up car for five minutes.
Number of times Clayton PD out on patrol will stop to check.
Turn on dome light, roll down passenger window and both hands in plain sight for a brief conversation. At conclusion, make it a point to Thank them for stopping and checking.
In all interaction with Clayton PD, they have been both courteous and very professional !
Wow! Since when does the phrase BUM have anything to do with age or race? Especially when you are talking about the ridiculous homeless bum population around our area!
I really want to move the hell out of this state. Since when is it a bad thing to support the men and woman who put their lives on the line daily to protect ALL OF US! Including the dirtbags treating cops horribly. I really don’t understand what’s going on in this country. People have lost their minds. The radical left is destroying our country. Sick to my stomach over the disgusting things that make the progressives and radical left wing dems so giddy. It’s really just sickening to watch a nation that so many died and sacrificed for be degraded, disrespected and burnt down. I can only hope that this will eventually back fire on all these radical scum bags and social justice warriors. I have faith the USA will get through this and return to a place where it’s ok to be proud to be an American.
Only the American flag should be flown on July 4th. Period.
What are they going to do with the flags that were donated….If Clayton doesnt want it I will take one. and pay the donor for it….
BLUE LIVES MATTER….I would purchase one of those flags…
When Clayton incorporated in the 1960s, they had an elected Mayor and it remained that way for many years. I moved away and I don’t know when they cane up with this Musical Chairs Mayor gimmick, but the City Council governance I’ve seen since I moved back is a sorry, sick joke. Clayton incorporated, by the way, to keep from being annexed by Concord so that it could maintain its rural feel. Now you couldn’t tell where Concord ends and Clayton begins if there weren’t a sign in the middle of the road saying so. And, we have the City Council to thank for that.
I get the desire to honor the role of law enforcement. But modifying the American flag and greying it out with a blue line added?! Weird and disrespectful and tasteless. Make up your own flag, don’t vandalize the nation’s. It’s important that our national symbols not become just another politicized, polarized football. The flag is the flag. How does it make sense to have special etiquette for it but then mess with it to ‘honor’ some special group?
Hoffmeister has a serious conflict of interest and should resign one or the other of her positions, either Concord or Clayton depending on which city she lives in. I’m assuming since she’s also on the Concord City Council she must live in Concord, which would be required. However, it seems like Lars said she didn’t.
I see her periodically, shopping at the Food Maxx on Clayton Rd, in Concord, an indication she may live nearby, IN CONCORD.
Lots of flags look like the US flag with slight variations. This one in this story is no different. 🇮🇴🇨🇻🇱🇷🇲🇾🇵🇷🇨🇻🇦🇹🇹🇭🇺🇾🇺🇸
People in public office these days just seem to be begging to be voted out at the next election possible.
Where is Lars, by the way. This is his forte. Did the mafioso that is our city government silence him like they have other critics?
One common thread that I read here is that there’s a belief that cops protect our freedom. How does this work? THEY’RE CIVIL SERVANTS. Why do we find it necessary to drum up cops and not PARAMEDICS, DOCTORS, SCIENTISTS, TEACHERS, VOLUNTEERS, ETC? It’s because it doesn’t fit the chosen political narrative.
Choose to support your local police force
Back the Blue
There is a dangerous, viscous Marxist mob trying to destroy our county, state and country.
F12
I would be pleased and proud to fly one of the blue line flags. Just tell me where and when to pick it up!
Look up Back the Blue in a search to find out more
Some of the online merchants have items
Flag desecration is flag desecration. Thin blue line, thick blue line, whatever. It is not the American flag and is not considered acceptable to redesign it for a particular cause.