BAKERSFIELD CITY FLAG

The intensity of feelings that arose nation wide after the September 11th 2001 disaster in New York and Washington DC created an emotion which was exhibited by individual patriotic citizens through out America. This was widely expressed all over the United States by flying the Federal Flag from buildings, houses and motor vehicles.

The Bakersfield City Council has recently been considering the creation of placing together a suitable memorial by inscribing “In God We Trust” either in a public place or on the City Hall building to commemorate this September 11th event.

This moment in time is most propitious to re-present the City of Bakersfield Flag. On behalf of the Founders of the Bakersfield Beautification Committee we wish to re-present the City Flag of Bakersfield as a symbol for all the citizens of Bakersfield. As you all know June the 14th is commemorated nationally as Flag Day. We wish to commit a renewed honor and dignity towards our local symbol. It is our strong desire to see our City flag flown on City Buildings.

We recommend that the City Council proudly flies this flag on all City Buildings. In order to promote pride in this symbol may we also suggest that it be included on the City’s web page, together with a full explanation of all the other adopted City symbols such as the adopted the Camellia as the City flower and the Western Robin as the City bird.

Dare we suggest that some different size flags be ordered to become symbols flying on official city vehicles, especially those of the City Council Members as well as for the desks of our local patriotic businessmen?

Please also consider the placement of oversize City Flags adjacent to the two static new monuments placed alongside the freeway for identity of City of Bakersfield arrival to those traveling on California State Highway Route 99 & 58. The dynamics of a large flag flying high will draw significant attention to these “gateway” monuments announcing to travelers a welcoming entry into our City Boundaries.

We do also recommend that all international dignitaries be presented certificates with the City of Bakersfield Flag as personal gifts. Likewise when Bakersfield City officials visit our international sister cities, it would be most diplomatic to provide the City of Bakersfield Flag to them as a valued gift.

The City of Bakersfield Council members under the leadership of Mayor Mary Shell adopted unanimously the City Flag and symbols at its meeting in June 1983 some 19 years ago. It is time to again fly the brilliant colors of this unique City Flag.

On behalf of all those who vested an effort in these symbols in the past may we respectfully request that this City flag be flown continuously from this day forward?

POSTSCRIPT

A Bakersfield Flag was re-presented to the Mayor, to each Councilman as well as the Police Chief and Fire Chief on the 12th of June at the City Hall Council Meeting.

It so happened that a few days later on the 14th of June National Flag Day was celebrated in the United States. One wonders when Bakerfolks will see this Bakersfield City Flag flown again on any City Buildings.

Keep a look out for this your City flag to be flown again!

BY Graham Kaye-Eddie – Master Urban Designer.

Makabusi Inc. – Bakersfield – California

Email – makabusi@pacbell.net

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