New banners on the way
The controversy surrounding the armed forces banner program could have dragged on much longer but the city got a few breaks. First, an anonymous donor offered to fund a large portion of the program. Second, the company that makes the banners offered to incorporate the image of the service personnel on the banner at no additional cost. A photo was something Rex Gutierrez really wanted after seeing how nice they looked in Chino Hills.
Military families who apply for a banner by the end of this month will see their banners with the new design in November. Families with existing banners can submit a photo of the service member for a new banner. Call the redevelopment agency at 477-2700 or send an email to Donna Vega for more information.
The consensus is, the new banners are a marked improvement because the American flag background was just too busy. Compare for yourself.
UPDATED ARMED FORCES BANNER DESIGN-3.pdf
CURRENT ARMED FORCES BANNER DESIGN-2.pdf
An article to appear in Tuesday's paper follows.
Military families who apply for a banner by the end of this month will see their banners with the new design in November. Families with existing banners can submit a photo of the service member for a new banner. Call the redevelopment agency at 477-2700 or send an email to Donna Vega for more information.
The consensus is, the new banners are a marked improvement because the American flag background was just too busy. Compare for yourself.
UPDATED ARMED FORCES BANNER DESIGN-3.pdf
CURRENT ARMED FORCES BANNER DESIGN-2.pdf
An article to appear in Tuesday's paper follows.
By Wendy Leung
RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- New banners will replace worn and fading ones after the City Council approved new designs for the armed forces banner program. The program, bolstered by the help of an anonymous donor, will no longer seek funds from military families.
The military banners along Haven Avenue honoring service personnel who are Rancho Cucamonga residents or have family members who are, were first installed in 2005. The city charged military families $155 for a banner but offered to seek donations if a family couldn't afford it.
This drew ire from residents like Jim Moffatt, who pushed for the city to foot the entire bill. The city funds a portion of the program by providing banner hardware.
"I'm a little apprehensive that the city is not paying but I'm happy parents don't have to pay," Moffatt said.
The new banners will incorporate the photo of the service personnel over a white background.
The American flag backdrop was changed because the marketing subcommittee, consisting of council members Rex Gutierrez and Diane Williams, thought the lettering did not stand out.
The first set of new banners will be installed next month.
War veteran Jim Frost, who serves as city treasurer, said he believes the changes in the program will set precedent to similar banner initiatives in neighboring cities.
"I would agree with the council that it's not appropriate to use public funds for this," Frost said. "There's so much pressure for funding, it's certainly appropriate to have an outside donor."
For more information about the banner program, call the redevelopment agency at (909) 477-2700.
-- wendy.leung@inlandnewspapers.com
RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- New banners will replace worn and fading ones after the City Council approved new designs for the armed forces banner program. The program, bolstered by the help of an anonymous donor, will no longer seek funds from military families.
The military banners along Haven Avenue honoring service personnel who are Rancho Cucamonga residents or have family members who are, were first installed in 2005. The city charged military families $155 for a banner but offered to seek donations if a family couldn't afford it.
This drew ire from residents like Jim Moffatt, who pushed for the city to foot the entire bill. The city funds a portion of the program by providing banner hardware.
"I'm a little apprehensive that the city is not paying but I'm happy parents don't have to pay," Moffatt said.
The new banners will incorporate the photo of the service personnel over a white background.
The American flag backdrop was changed because the marketing subcommittee, consisting of council members Rex Gutierrez and Diane Williams, thought the lettering did not stand out.
The first set of new banners will be installed next month.
War veteran Jim Frost, who serves as city treasurer, said he believes the changes in the program will set precedent to similar banner initiatives in neighboring cities.
"I would agree with the council that it's not appropriate to use public funds for this," Frost said. "There's so much pressure for funding, it's certainly appropriate to have an outside donor."
For more information about the banner program, call the redevelopment agency at (909) 477-2700.
-- wendy.leung@inlandnewspapers.com
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