Owner Refuses to Take Down Flag, Town Relents

A week after being being told by Bedford's building department she had to take down a "Made in the USA" flag hung outside her Katonah store because it violated town code, Ellie Kimelman is now flying it freely outside of the

Kimelman hung the flag on Sat., March 17 from a bracket attached to the building that houses her store at 215 Katonah Avenue. To her, the flag represented her merchandise and the values with which she incorporated her crafts gallery 17 years ago—to promote American craftsmanship.

She said she was surprised the following Tuesday when Bill O'Keefe, Bedford's code enforcer, stopped in to tell her the flag was an infraction of town code which lists "pennants, streamers or other eye-catching devices," under prohibited sign types.

O'Keefe followed up his visit with a letter telling Kimelman she had seven days to remove the flag or face fines. He offered alternative suggestions such as refurbishing her store sign or flying an American flag which is permissible.

Kimelman said changing her sign would cost a few hundred dollars. But she didn't want to hang an American flag.

"This 'Made in the USA' flag was handmade by an American artist, it hangs outside of galleries across the country. It's patriotic and it supports the American artist," she told Patch on Friday, just before she put in calls to Supervisor Lee Roberts who involved the building inspector, Steven Fraietta.

Kimelman said it was important to her to stand up for her right to fly the flag because it was a draw to customers seeking quality American artwork. The Eclectic Collector represents over 400 American artists who designed the jewelry, wearable art, glass, ceramics, folk art and furniture she sells in her shop.

She also said it represented the efforts of small business owners to do what they can to bring shoppers into their stores.

"We've had many merchant meetings in town, trying to find all kinds of things to support local businesses here. To be told I can't hang this flag in this economy is discouraging—to me and the people who shop in town," she said.

One customer who stopped in on Friday said the banner beckoned her into the store.

"I like American-made products," said Carolann Haas, a Cortlandt Manor resident and frequent Katonah shopper. "I often turn over a product to see where it's made—if we don't shop American we'll won't give American craftsman a chance to create and express themselves."

O'Keefe told Patch the code was there to prohibit organizations from hanging banners and signs which could clutter the landscape. He cited a recent example when he asked the Katonah Mobil station to take down a large banner advertising propane sales.

In some cases, he said, exceptions are made for temporary banners, such as a sign the Community Center of Northern Westchester is considering hanging for their 20th anniversary.

Roberts said on Friday they wanted to try to make it work.

"We want to bend over backwards to help our local businesses, but we also have to be consistent and cognizant of any potential hazards and unsightliness," she said.

After stating her case to town officials, Kimelman was allowed to keep her flag. Fraietta confirmed with Patch on Monday that he had met with Roberts and O'Keefe and they decided her flag could be considered as a sign. Town code permits signs that are hung from a bracket permanently attached to a building.

Kimelman was pleased with the results.

"I understand the reason for the code, but think they need to deal with situations individually," she said. "But I'm glad—I think the flag enhances the look of the street."