Romando Dixson

rdixson@citizen-times.com

ASHEVILLE – A decision allowing that a two-story rainbow flag be flown at City Hall had more to do with supporting civil rights than jumping into political conflict over same-sex marriage, Mayor Esther Manheimer said Friday.

Manheimer said she didn't have a discussion with City Manager Gary Jackson about displaying the flag, symbolizing gay pride, a move that drew some criticism. City Council unanimously approved the action, she said.

"I recognize that people have different views on these issues, and I'm sensitive to that," Manheimer said.

The donated flag was flown from City Hall Thursday as same-sex couples and advocates in North Carolina waited for a court ruling on gay marriage.

Former City Councilman Carl Mumpower and Chad Nesbitt, a former chairman of the Buncombe County GOP, said council violated state open meetings law by not holding vote during an official meeting in public.

"There is a reason that North Carolina instructs local elected bodies to handle their affairs in an open and deliberative way," Nesbitt and Mumpower said in a statement. "Otherwise, they would be free, such as in this case, to indulge their personal feelings and conduct business behind closed doors and over private phone lines."

Municipalities in California have raised pride flags at City Hall and those actions were controversial as well.

Nesbitt and Mumpower in their statement included a depiction of a Nazi flag flying from City Hall.

"I am equating their methods with the Nazi movement," Mumpower said. "They are indifferent to the rule of law and indifferent to the vote of the people. And that's Adolf Hitler all over again in a different disguise."

Councilman Gordon Smith said City Council informally approved the gesture to hang the flag to recognize "a momentous time in our history."

Mumpower on Friday organized a gathering of about 20 to 25 people, including ministers, to hold up a Christian flag outside of City Hall.