It was a battle of patriotism against a sign ordinance during a Wilmington Board of Adjustment meeting in 1990.
According to an article in the Sept. 22, 1990, edition of the Wilmington Morning Star, the president of Gas World gas stations in the city wanted to fly 375-square-foot American flags over his properties. But a city code enforcement officer said it violated a sign ordinance, which left the Board of Adjustment to make a final ruling.
The ordinance, which was enacted in 1987, limited flags to a maximum of 80 square feet.
“I’ve never heard of the United States flag being considered a sign,” said Bob Helm, the area supervisor of Gas World.
The board considered it as such, upholding a $50 fine for violating the ordinance at two Gas World stations.
Gas World’s attorney argued the ordinance violated the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, but that argument didn’t hold water with city officials.
To further the argument, Helm showed a letter from the Daughters of the American Revolution commending Gas World’s president for the flags.