BOUNDARY COUNTY, Idaho — Bonners Ferry residents put their heads together to come up with a creative solution to keep the Canadian flag flying high in the city.
A recently enacted Idaho law prohibits the flying of any foreign flag, forcing the city to remove the Canadian flag that typically greets visitors at the entrance of town.
Many Bonners Ferry residents disapproved of the state law, saying it ignored the city’s close ties to Canada.
“They’re more of a neighbor to [us] than someone who lives in Coeur d’Alene,” said resident Gerald Higgs.
Despite the law lacking specific penalties, state officials warned Bonners Ferry Mayor Rick Alonzo that there would be consequences if the flag remained up.
“I said, ‘well, what are you going to do?’ And they said, ‘we’ll sue you.’ I thought, discretion being the better part of valor, we’ll take it down because I didn’t want to burden our city attorney,” Mayor Alonzo said.
However, the state law allows foreign flags to be flown on special occasions. In response, a group of residents collaborated to draft a city ordinance declaring every day a special occasion.
The ordinance passed during Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
“That was a proud moment. I didn’t think the mayor would accommodate, but ‘Why don’t we just put it up?’ I hadn’t thought of that. Why don’t we just get it done? And we got it done,” Higgs said.
For many in Bonners Ferry, the gesture makes a statement about the city as a whole.
“We’re known as Idaho’s friendliest city. The governor bestowed that on us. I forget which one, but we’ve held that title for a number of years and for a number of good reasons,” Higgs added.
After Tuesday night’s city council meeting, residents went outside to once again raise the Canadian flag high.
Mayor Alonzo said the state law is out of touch with the values of Bonners Ferry residents and hopes there will be no further issues with the flag display.
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