THE PROBLEM: The intent was surely honorable - a line of 10 American flags atop the covering over the pumps at a Clairemont gasoline station.
THE SITE: Balboa Avenue, Clairemont
|
But the station at Balboa Avenue and Mount Abernathy Avenue has been shuttered, and Frans Vanleeuwen thinks the current condition of the flags is deplorable. Almost all of the flags are in tatters, and a chain-link fence around the station prevented Vanleeuwen from acting on an impulse to go in with a ladder and remove the flags.
Vanleeuwen said he called the San Diego Neighborhood Code Compliance Office, only to learn that it's not the kind of problem the city can tackle. Then he called Just Fix It.
“It's kind of a disgraceful thing to see, especially in this election month,” he said.
STATUS: The U.S. Flag Code clearly frowns on flying torn, soiled or damaged flags. “When it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display,” the code states, a flag “should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
Property records suggested the land belongs to Texas-based Exxon Mobil Corp., parent of Mobil gas stations. When Just Fix It called the company's corporate news office to confirm the ownership of the station, the answer came by e-mail.
“The station you inquired about at 6066 Balboa Ave. is a site we lease to an independent dealer to operate,” wrote Beth Snyder, U.S. field public affairs adviser. “We are actively searching for a new dealer to run this station.”
Just Fix It informed Snyder of the condition of the flags and asked if the company planned to do anything to arrange for their proper removal and disposal.
When we get a reply, we'll pass it along.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: Exxon Mobil Corp., which can be reached at (972) 444-1000 in Irving, Texas. A form on its Web site, exxonmobil.com, asks e-mail correspondents to read and accept lengthy “terms and conditions” to submit a question electronically.
NEED A PROBLEM SOLVED: Is there a problem that government hasn't taken care of despite your complaints? Whether it's a missing bus bench or a misspelled street sign, Just Fix It might be able to help.
Complaint forms are at justfixit.uniontrib.com, or call (800) 820-8714.
