Clifford Jackson Sr. said Friday he does not want to get evicted from White Oaks Apartments.
PERRY TWP. The man who became upset Thursday when management of his apartment complex told him to take his U.S. flag indoors is now waving a white flag on the issue.
Clifford Jackson Sr., 66, said Friday afternoon he plans to keep his American flag inside, at least for the time being.
"I don't want to get an eviction notice," he said of his short-lived fight for his right to fly the flag. "I'm just gonna take it day-by-day."
Jackson lives in a first-floor unit of White Oaks Apartments in the 2800 block of Lincoln Way E. He said he was told to remove the flag because of landscaping work being done to the front area of the apartments.
A written notice was posted for all apartment occupants Thursday afternoon, stating outside decor such as flags, lights, potted plants and ornaments, also are not permitted, "in an effort to maintain a uniform appearance."
"They (management) got the upper hand," conceded Jackson, a resident of White Oaks for the last three years.
Jackson said he does not believe he will be permitted to post the flag outside once the landscaping work has concluded.
Phone messages left Thursday and Friday by The Independent for managers of the complex were not returned. An employee who answered the phone at White Oaks on Friday said she is unaware of the new policy regarding landscaping.
A first-floor resident who lives in White Oaks building opposite of Jackson said he will have to remove potted and hanging plants, a couple of small U.S. flags and yard decorations from the front of his premises once landscapers reach the area.
"I'm just going to give everything away," the man said, who declined to give his name. "You gotta comply."
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— Steven M. Grazier