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Chapter Two In Hazleton’s Flag Flap

HAZLETON –There is another chapter unfolding in Hazleton’s flag flap. The mayor said he would be breaking the law if he allowed a Dominican Republic...

HAZLETON --There is another chapter unfolding in Hazleton's flag flap. The mayor said he would be breaking the law if he allowed a Dominican Republic flag to fly outside city hall.  But it now appears city council will be taking the flag inside.

This is the 170th anniversary of the Dominican Republic's independence. People were celebrating at the Dominican House, a community organization in Hazleton.

Ingrid Martinez watched the republic's president address lawmakers.

"To us it's a very special day for Dominicans but we share it with everybody," Martinez said.

Officials at the Dominican House wanted to fly their country's flag from Hazleton City Hall to celebrate. The mayor told them it was against state law. So now city council President Jack Mundie said the law allows the Dominican flag to be placed in city council chambers.

"At city hall if they want to present us with a flag, I don't think council would have a problem with that."

Victor Perez of the Dominican House is glad things worked out.

"We are proud to receive this offer from the city council members and we are proud to receive the opportunity." Perez said.

The Dominican Republic's flag will stand next to a Polish and Italian flag.  They were presented to city council from the Sister City organization.

Mayor Joe Yannuzzi said the group links similar cities in different countries.

"I don't see why the Dominican flag should be in council chambers with our Sister Cities, having said that council chambers is theirs, they control it."

Hazleton is made up of many races and cultures and because of that Victor Perez of the Dominican House would like to see more flags representing all of those folks in city council chambers.

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