A retired New York City cop who helped people escape from the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 seems to have won his battle over flying a flag commemorating that tragic day’s victims.
Richard Wentz had until yesterday to remove the flag from outside the home he rents at the Fairways at Heron Bay in Coral Springs, Fla., or face fines — but he had refused.
According to the regulations of his homeowner’s association, only one flag could be flown at each home, but Wentz has two: One standard American flag and one with the names of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the 9/11 attacks.
“This flag represents the people who were killed that morning and their families,” Wentz told The Daily yesterday afternoon.
It was adding insult to injury for Wentz, 47, who is ill with cancer and attributes it to working at Ground Zero.
But by yesterday evening, the association had backed down.
“They have concluded it’s not their obligation to enforce the ‘one flag’ rule,” Bill Sugarman, the president of Benchmark Management Co., told ABCNews.com. “Therefore, Mr. Wentz will be permitted to fly his flag. It’s really not their duty to encourage that restriction.”
“I’m shocked,” Wentz said. “And for the voices that can’t speak any more, and their families, I’m glad.”
Richard Wentz had until yesterday to remove the flag from outside the home he rents at the Fairways at Heron Bay in Coral Springs, Fla., or face fines — but he had refused.
According to the regulations of his homeowner’s association, only one flag could be flown at each home, but Wentz has two: One standard American flag and one with the names of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the 9/11 attacks.
“This flag represents the people who were killed that morning and their families,” Wentz told The Daily yesterday afternoon.
It was adding insult to injury for Wentz, 47, who is ill with cancer and attributes it to working at Ground Zero.
But by yesterday evening, the association had backed down.
“They have concluded it’s not their obligation to enforce the ‘one flag’ rule,” Bill Sugarman, the president of Benchmark Management Co., told ABCNews.com. “Therefore, Mr. Wentz will be permitted to fly his flag. It’s really not their duty to encourage that restriction.”
“I’m shocked,” Wentz said. “And for the voices that can’t speak any more, and their families, I’m glad.”
