Woodmont Community Association – Ellie Weinberger (Secretary), Sanford “Sandy” Lieberman (President), Dominic Gray (Vice President), and Lee Viverette (Treasurer)
By: Sharon Aron Baron
Thanks to one community association, Tamarac will soon have a flag dropbox for all of those patriotic residents that don’t have a proper place to dispose of damaged or tattered flags until they can be retired.
After seeing this in Coral Springs, I presented this to the Tamarac City Commission back on April 8, and showed them images of the flag dropbox that was installed in front of the gymnasium. I knew that with all our former Veterans and patriotic residents, this would go over well.
The U.S. Flag code states that, “the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Thus, when a flag is torn and tattered beyond repair, it’s time for it to be retired.
Fortunately, Lee Viverette, President of the Woodmont Community Association was watching me during my presentation online. He, along with other members of the Woodmont Community Association (WCA) board thought it was a good idea, and in turn, voted to fund the flag box as their contribution to the community.
The WCA, formerly known as the Woodmont Property Owners Association, is no longer a typical HOA.
“We were originally formed to be a voice for all the communities, but that day has gone. The whole makeup of the community is gone because we’re younger, more diverse, and we’re no longer a country club community.”
Viverette said that this past year they wanted to take the association in a different direction. Now they are a fee-based – not an assessment-based membership made up of community-minded individuals. They, in turn, provide information outside of their individual associations on politics and news, as well as discounts on service contracts with alarm and appliance service companies.
Viverette, along with Parks and Recreation Director Greg Warner, was invited to the Veteran’s Affairs Committee meeting in May where they discussed the flag box. He said that everyone except one person was positive about it. The one person who objected was concerned about vandalism.
Vice Mayor Pam Bushnell who also serves on the Veteran’s Affairs Committee also loved the idea, he said.
The mailbox has been ordered, and both Warner and Viverette are working on a layout for the outer design.
Once flags are placed in the mailbox, the Parks and Recreation Department will be responsible for bringing the flags to the Veteran’s Coalition where they will be properly retired.
The box will be ready in July and will be located at Veteran’s Park in Tamarac.
