Muncie Indiana is quite the hodgepodge of political misfits.

Part of the city wants to progress; the other part wants to stay the same, and even in division, (i.e. the quarrel over renaming one of the main streets after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) it leaves those of us who haven't left yet with another reason to see just how unreasonable people can be over petty issues.

In fact, Judge Greg Mathis said it plainly when he visited Muncie this past April (2004) to speak on preventing cancer and progressing as a city, "I've been to Idaho where they only have 10 black people in the entire state, and even they have a street named after Dr. Martin Luther King!"

Historically, there is a high school here where two of my children graduated, Southside H.S. on yes, the south side of town. The people are mostly working class, while on the Northside of town there was once a school called Northside High School (now middle school) that was originally built to "isolate" the kiddos of the well-to-do families of professionals (i.e. people who didn't get their hands dirty at the 9 to 5) from thosse poor people from across the tracks. Funny thing is though, from my own observations, is that those poor people's so-called kids who ate out of dented spoons as opposed to silver ones had more pride about themselves that those who had a car to drive to school, or would piggy back in Soccer Mom's Volvo.

The story at hand talks about one of Muncie's area niceties, Prarie Creek Reservoir. There are a few sweet souls who, because they live on what they view as Muncie's forgotten Southside, fly the confederate flag as a sign of pride.

The local Mayor, Daniel Canan (yes, he's of republican idealogy while most of the Creek people vote democratic) said that since Prarie Creek was local government owned, people had to take down their flags, and I quote, "I don't care."

Imagine how that warm and wonderful statement made them feel. (This was also the same mayor that hung up on me and my husband when we had a legal concern involving our oldest child who was treated quite poorly by police during a traffic stop at which Mayor Canan, who knows me well, said, "I'm going back to bed!"

(Voila, so much for the body Politique of this city.)


But because of the city having a sordid economic downturn, a lot of people call the reservoir "home." And sometimes, those peace-lovin' folk who'd rather wear overalls and a John Deere cap instead of a business suit get a bad rap. Sure, some deserve it, but why should city officials refer to the area as "Springerville" just because some of them like the quaintness of living in trailers?

Here's the story below, and my response in the download file.

blessin's,
cyncyn

REFERENCE ARTICLE:

City Bans Confederate Flags from Reservoir Campground
By SETH SLABAUGH
seths.thestarpress.com

MUNCIE - At least one unhappy camper is considering legal action after the city park department banned Confederate battle flags from its campground at Prairie Creek Reservoir.

Mayor Dan Canan has this message for those complaining that the ban violates their rights: "I don't care."

"Their right is to go to another campground," the mayor said. "We have a long waiting list for those campsites."

The ban is one of several new rules being imposed by the city in response to complaints that the campground has become a taxpayer-subsidized, semi-permanent trailer park nicknamed "Springerville" - after the raunchy Jerry Springer television show.

The Star Press recently received two letters to the editor complaining that the city not only had banned Confederate flags but also was prohibiting NASCAR, Colts and Pacers flags.

"You have to draw the line somewhere for the overall aesthetics of the park," Canan said.

City council member Mary Jo Barton said she had talked to one unhappy camper who was so angry about being forced to remove his Confederate flag that he planned to complain to the American Civil Liberties Union and a lawyer.

"It's a recreational campground on city property," city park board President John Parker responded. "Once things like that [Confederate flags] start, where does it stop? Then it's Miller Lite banners. I guess we're trying to maintain a clean, family-oriented atmosphere."

Park Supt. Ron Bonham said: "This isn't their [campers'] property. This is city-leased park property. I had a complaint last year from a black family who was offended. They [the campers flying the flag] say they are not prejudiced, which is fine, but I don't think a public park is a place for that. If they want to fly it at their house, that's fine. If they think they can go to some other parks and fly rebel flags and all these other flags, that's OK."

Council member Barton said: "My question is, they've always flown those flags. Then all of a sudden, this year they were told they can't fly them. To me, the city is stepping on their rights as far as freedom of speech. Granted, it's city park ground, but the campers pay money to rent that ground. Who are they to tell us we can't fly what we want to fly?."

Barton believes the ban on Confederate battle flags at the campground resulted from the city's refusal last year to rename Broadway as Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

"My understanding is this all began with re-naming Broadway," Barton said.

Displaying the Confederate battle flag continues to be a controversial issue at statehouses, schools and other venues throughout the country 139 years after the Civil War.

To some, the flag is a symbol of Southern pride. To others, it is a divisive symbol, a symbol of the old South, a symbol of segregation and of slavery.

Barton said campers flew the flag because they were graduates of Southside High School, and it used to be the official flag of the school, which uses the nickname "the Rebels."

But Principal John Robbins said the Confederate battle flag had not been a symbol of the school in at least 26 years, which is how long he's been there.

"We don't allow it at Southside High School at any time," Robbins said. "Something controversial like that doesn't belong in our school. Some minorities don't appreciate the flag. Our symbol is a cannon. 'Old Reb' we call it."

Barton can understand objections to the flag if it were flown at the reservoir's office, but she doesn't understand why it's objectionable at individual camp sites.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, hundreds of extremist, racist, hate groups use the Confederate battle flag, also known as the Southern Cross, as their symbol.

Muncie resident and Prairie Creek Reservoir weekend camper Richard Bellomy said: "This has nothing to do with prejudice. I'm just proud to be from the South. These flags are not illegal. You can buy them anywhere. I heard this [ban] has something to do with the MLK thing. I feel this is an invasion of my rights. I have my rights just like blacks."

A native of West Virginia, Bellomy, 65, has lived here most of his life, working in construction, foundries, and currently at a fast-food restaurant. At his east-side home, he flies an American flag, a Dale Earnhardt Jr. flag, and a Confederate battle flag.

"I'm from the South and proud of it," Bellomy said. "If you know me, I'm a hillbilly. I play banjo and guitar. But I'm not a real hard redneck. My granddaughter had a mixed baby. I was not real crazy about it, but I love that baby as much as I do anybody."

Huey Myers, a cement finisher and Prairie Creek Reservoir camper, said, "A lot of people are upset about it [the ban] because they're from the south side and Southside High School."

Another camper, Bill Chambers, the former Center Township trustee, said, "There's a lot of Tennesseans and other Southern boys out here."

For some good down home up north readin', click on the link below and type in the word "Confederate." Then amaze yourself. (Note: These files are not archived and only available for limited time. For more info, check your college or local library for any articles involving politics in Muncie Indiana.

Contact news reporter Seth Slabaugh at 765-213-5834. Seth loves mail.