the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Dumont NJ, officials in Dumont, have approved a new flag ordinance restricting displays outside Borough Hall to government-authorized flags only. The decision, which effectively bans the LGBTQ+ Pride flag, has raised concerns about potential discrimination.
Council Votes to Limit Flag Displays
In a 4-2 vote on Tuesday, the all-Republican Dumont Borough Council passed an ordinance stating that borough flagpoles “are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression by the public.”
🔹 Flags Permitted Under the Ordinance:
✔️ U.S. Flag
✔️ New Jersey State Flag
✔️ Bergen County Flag
✔️ Flags of the Six U.S. Armed Forces Branches
✔️ POW/MIA & KIA Memorial Flags
The ordinance also allows the mayor and council to approve other flags as government expression, but prohibits third-party group flags from being flown.
Opposition & Public Reaction
Council members Doreen Aponte and Tom Kelly opposed the ordinance, with Kelly voicing concerns about limiting public expression.
“I think that the expression should come from people rather than the government,” Kelly said.
Mayor John Russell, who can only vote to break a tie, also opposed the ordinance, stating:
“Borough property belongs to the people, not to the mayor and council.”
The decision followed over two-and-a-half hours of public debate, with nearly 50 speakers, including students and teachers from Dumont High School, expressing their concerns about inclusivity.
“Taking down the flag will create a divide, whether you think so or not,” said Remy Diaz, a Dumont High School junior.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this town was being less inclusive than it is today,” added lifelong resident Denise Marinaro.
Only two speakers supported the ordinance, while the majority opposed it. Councilman Kelly reported receiving 147 messages against the measure and only five in support.
Council Defends the Ordinance
Councilwoman Gidget Petry defended the measure, emphasizing that it applies to all flags and was designed to prevent division and legal issues.
“My heart truly supports everything your community represents, but this ordinance is not just about the Pride flag,” Petry said.
However, many residents worry that removing the Pride flag sends a message of exclusion.
A History of Controversy
Dumont’s Pride flag was first raised in 2019, but was removed twice by unknown individuals. The flag was eventually reinstated.
With the new ordinance, residents are questioning whether Dumont will remain a welcoming place for all communities.
What’s Next?
While the ordinance has passed, legal challenges or community-led initiatives could seek to overturn or modify it. Local LGBTQ+ advocates may also push for alternative displays of support.
Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing debate.
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If you want to fly one of these flags on your own property that’s your business. We don’t need to be flying them on public property. If you do, then who’s flag will you next have to fly on public grounds? When does it stop?
Ridgewood should pass the same ordinance
already does , that’s why we have the flag pole a Van Neste
Exactly this should only be two flags the American flag and the state of New Jersey flag, you can fly any kind of flag. You want on your property we can’t be having all these different kind of flags on government buildings. This is not the United Nations. I’m not against any group but that’s how it is. It’s time to get a set of balls.
Maybe three.
100% correct….and one national anthem.
There’s no reason to celebrate the lgbt community.
I can think of several very good reasons.
Is there a flag for the straight people if there is I want that flying right in the wind🏴☠️
But that would be as stupid as the alphabet people flag.
Way too much bull shit. The mayor and council need to get a set of balls.
Other than the set they’re routinely slapping you in the face with?