Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 20, 1991 TAG: 9102200464
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: QUINTON LENGTH: Medium
"We felt that if you can put the `Most Wanted' list up, why can't you put taxpayers' names up there?" said resident Margaret Lane.
Lane complained to Del. George Grayson, D-Williamsburg, who introduced a resolution urging the Postal Service to "rescind its ban on citizen-initiated displays on behalf of New Kent's brave men and women serving in the Persian Gulf."
The poster shows a map of Saudi Arabia with names of residents and their military branches. It now hangs in a beauty salon two doors from the post office.
"We're only trying to demonstrate pride with a tasteful display," Grayson said. "To ban such a display is overreacting, like hitting a gnat with a sledgehammer."
The resolution is to be voted on this week.
Citing a potential controversy, U.S. postal officials in Richmond last week made clerks take down the poster, along with yellow ribbons that had adorned the office.
Lois Miller, a spokeswoman for the Postal Service's Richmond region, said regulations restrict lobby displays.
She quoted the regulation: " `Any matter that could be construed as objectionable, subversive or controversial in nature or which may subject the Postal Service to any undue criticism should not be posted.'
"It was felt that this could be controversial in nature," Miller said. "It was nobody's intent to cause any problems."
A similar flap developed after the state Department of Motor Vehicles banned patriotic displays at DMV headquarters last month. The decision was reversed by Gov. Douglas Wilder.
by CNB