HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A controversy is unfolding in Hazleton over a request to fly the Dominican Republic flag at city hall.
The President of the Dominican House, an organization that assists Latino immigrants mainly those from the Dominican Republic requested to fly the Dominican flag at city hall on March 1 in honor of the country's 181st anniversary of its independence.
Mayor Jeff Cusat (R) denied that request saying only the American flag and the Pennsylvania flag fly over city hall and offered other options.
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Mayor Cusat pointed out that the Dominican Republic flag is already located inside council chambers.
Latinos comprise more than 50% of Hazleton's population 28/22 News I-Team reporter Andy Mehalshick takes a look at the controversy and we hear from residents on the issue Andy reports live from Hazleton.
A controversy is unfolding in the city of Hazleton. The President of the Dominican House wants to fly the Dominican Republic flag at city hall to commemorate the 181 anniversary of the country's independence.
Hazleton's mayor has denied that request.
This controversy is unfolding even as we speak.
Mayor Jeff Cusat says he is a big supporter of the Latino community, namely the members of Dominican Republic community.
The Dominican flag is here on the floor of council chambers along with the flag of a Polish community and Ireland, but he says he believes only the American and Pennsylvania flags will fly over city hall.
This is the image that the president of the Dominican House of Hazleton would like to see at City hall, the Dominican Republic flag flying along with the American flag.
He made a request to Mayor Jeff Cusat to fly the flag on March 1 in commemoration of the 181 anniversary of the Dominican Republic Independence, but the mayor denied that request.
"If we do for one country's flag or one organization then where do you draw the line. To me, there's no flag that should be flown except the American flag, the Pennsylvania flag, the POW-MIA, or our city flag," explained Cusat.
The mayor offers several options.
"If you want to bring a flag pole on one of those standing flag pole behind the podium while you speak I'm ok with that. Bring your flag out over your shoulder and speak out in front of city hall," stated Cusat.
"I think it's an opportunity to integrate all the people around the community together in the community," voiced Victor Perez, President, Dominican House of Hazleton.
Victor Perez, the President of the Dominican House of Hazleton, says he would like the flag of the Dominican Republic to fly, as protocol, underneath the American flag on March 1.
"The Dominican population is in the majority in this area, and I don't think that's a problem to raise the flag of the Dominican Republic, or raise the flag of Italy, or raise the flag from Ireland, that's not a problem," said Perez.
Orlando Castillo is Dominican, what does he think?
"My personal opinion, I respect the sovereignty of each city and country. I don't mind that the flag won't be here. I don't have any issue with that," explained Castillo.
Bob Yevak is a longtime resident of Hazleton.
"I think it would be fine to fly it for one day. I mean the Dominicans have 70 percent of the population," said Yevak.
