The Herald-News - News Story

The Dayton City Council moved forward on plans to revamp the Delaware Avenue Sports Complex Monday night at its regular monthly meeting.

The council accepted a bid from Glaze Supply Company of Cleveland, Tenn., and Dalton, Ga., to supply lights for the complex's tennis courts.

The company's bid for the lights totaled $10,174. Four other companies submitted bids, but Glaze's was the least expensive.

Dayton City Manager Frank Welch said city crews will create the poles and fixtures for the lights and install them themselves.

The council also agreed to advertise for bids on construction of a two-story concession stand that will sit near baseball and softball fields at the sports complex.

Officials have said that they want the additions to the complex completed by the time spring sports begin.

Also discussed at the meeting was the issue of flags in downtown Dayton.

At the beginning of the meeting, activist and candidate for Governor of Tennessee June Griffin addressed the board along with Arbutus Schrimpsher. Both women work on the Tennessee Committee for the Bill of Rights.

They requested the city purchase American flags and display them on light poles downtown.
They said the act would pay tribute to veterans.

The council instructed Welch to look into the cost of purchasing flags.

Griffin then indicated she wants to purchase a Mexican flag she took from a Dayton storefront in July 2006.

On July 20 that year, she walked into a Hispanic grocery store, tore down the flag and shouted, "Learn to speak English or get out," according to newspaper archives. She then walked out with the flag but eventually surrendered it to police.

Local prosecutors eventually dropped the civil rights case against her because the storeowner and other witnesses disappeared several months later.

Griffin said Monday she plans to be at an auction in April when the city will put the Mexican flag up for bid.

"A while back I had a run-in with a Mexican flag," Griffin told the council. "I'd like to have my flag back. I paid big bucks for that."

Officials said they don't yet know what day in April the auction will be. Police Chief Chris Sneed said he still has the flag at the police department.

The department auctions surplus or used equipment and property seized during investigations once it is no longer needed for court proceedings.

Michael Reneau can be contacted at michael.reneau@rheaheraldnews.com.