The applicant must affirm active military duty status. “We don’t go to the Department of Defense to check, so we’re depending” on applicants to self-certify the service member is still actively engaged in military duty, which will be double-checked by the city.Bobkiewicz said there is also a new provision that banners will only fly one year, a decision based on space available as well the longevity of the banners, which, he noted, “don’t last forever.”The cost of each banner, which features the name of the service member and a soaring eagle set against Old Glory, is about $100. In order to receive a banner, an application needs to be completed by the service member, family member or friend. Applications are available at City Hall, or can be found on the City of Santa Paula’s website at http://www.ci.santa-paula.ca.us.Although banners recognizing the service members are free of charge, the city is continuing to accept donations from sponsors to help fund the program. Contributions can be sent to City of Santa Paula, Attn: Armed Forces Banner, P.O. Box 569, Santa Paula, CA 93061. For further information about the program, contact the city at 933-4208 or by email at info@ci.santa-paula.ca.us.
As deadline looms for Armed Forces banners, guideline changes set
March 18, 2009
Santa Paula News
The deadline is looming for the next round of patriotic banners to honor those serving in the military, and applications for the Armed Forces Recognition Banner program must be received by April 3.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe deadline is looming for the next round of patriotic banners to honor those serving in the military, and applications for the Armed Forces Recognition Banner program must be received by April 3. Last year, Santa Paula became the first city in Ventura County to launch such a program, and since then dozens of banners honoring those serving in all branches of the military have been flying on 10th Street.City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said the program is now limited to those who are Santa Paula residents or are former residents. “We’ve tried to be flexible, but based on partly a dollars and cents issue and partly on a space issue, this is meant for folks from Santa Paula” who currently reside in the city or had attended school in the city.“Obviously, people do graduate and at times move on, that’s fine,” but Bobkiewicz said the city was receiving requests for banners for service members who have no real connection to Santa Paula other than family or friends located here. “We don’t want to deny anyone,” but, given the limited banner space and the cost to the city, the rules must be tightened, Bobkiewicz noted.“The City Council’s intent was the program was for service members currently on active duty,” with, he added, a strong connection to the city.
