To the editor,

The Betsy Ross flag is a reconstructed early design for the flag of the United States and has red stripes outermost and stars arranged in a circle. These details elaborate on the 1777 act, passed early in the American Revolutionary War, which specified 13 alternating red and white horizontal stripes and 13 white stars in a blue background. It is widely believed that, shortly after the 1777 act, upholsterer and flag maker Betsy Ross produced a flag of this design.

The downtown decorating committee of the Dayton Task Force recently placed a ‘Betsy Ross’ wooden flag on the wagon in front of the museum believing it would be a bright spot for a couple of months and that it would be a historical and patriotic gesture from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July. However, in only three days it was taken down.

Why??? Because of what appeared to be an organized group that believes our nation’s founding is one that is rooted in racism and exploitation. They claimed that the flag represents white supremacy and that those who ‘fly’ this flag are insurrectionists and not patriots. They demanded that the flag be removed immediately. It was taken down for fear it would be vandalized.

What is the political history of the ‘Betsy Ross’ design? It is traditionally displayed at U.S. presidential inaugurations, including recently the first inauguration of Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Betsy Ross herself was promoted as a patriotic model for young girls and a symbol of women’s contribution to American history. The circle of 13 Stars, which defines the Betsy Ross design, is found on two state flags, namely Rhode Island and Indiana. The U.S. Foreign Service Flag also features the circle of 13-stars. Since 1963, the Philadelphia 76ers have used the ring of 13-stars in their team logo as a reference to Philadelphia and the U.S. capital where the Declaration of Independence was signed and where Betsy Ross worked. (Flag information from Wikipedia.)

Colin Kaepernick, the football player who will not stand for the National Anthem, is also a spokesperson for Nike. The shoemaker nixed their plan to make sneakers with the Betsy Ross flag symbol after Kaepernick intervened. In protest to that move, citizens across the US donned hats and shirts depicting the Betsy Ross flag.

The Task Force has never been a political group. The main goal of this group, that has been working for 39 years, is to promote economic vitality of Dayton through community-enhancing projects. These projects include revitalizing Main Street, initiating the restoration if the Liberty Theater, the Patit Creek Campsite, the Caboose Park, downtown flower baskets and many others. As a member of the Task Force almost since its inception, I recommended that the flag be re-installed. Let us have an informed discussion where objectors can present their case.

Marcene Hendrickson

Dayton

To the editor,

Last week Neighbors United held a public information meeting about the City of Dayton’s proposed Wastewater Treatment project. The meeting was well attended and representatives from the professionals who had worked on this project over the years gave a background review of the project and the current state of the project. This panel willing answered audience questions with why or why not certain decisions were made to facilitate the project.

These questions were answered to the best of the Wastewater professional’s ability and experience.

Alternate solutions were discussed with the pros and cons of these options explained. Including why some of the alternate possibilities would not work in Dayton’s situation or be even more expensive.

Some of the newly installed current Dayton City Council want to start this research all over again to achieve a different solution. This would cost the city taxpayers more money. There could be potential state fines, and a worse case potential of bankrupting the City of Dayton. The money already spent on researching and finding solutions to our Wastewater problems would have been wasted.

If some City Council members continue to vote against going forward with the current Wastewater Treatment plan, they are doing a major disservice to the City of Dayton and its residents. Are some of these council members purposely trying to destroy Dayton? Our time is running out to meet WA State’s public safety requirements for a treatment facility.

Citizens of Dayton please study the issues and encourage the Dayton City Council to support the Wastewater facility as it is designed. Consider that professional experts in this field were vetted and hired by the City of Dayton to create an efficient and workable solution that will meet WA State regulations.

Carol Anderson

Dayton, Wash.