An RV retailer in San Joaquin County is in a fight over flying a giant American flag over its business.
Camping World RV Sales in French Camp has defied an order from San Joaquin County to remove the flag due to safety concerns.
The backstory: In April, the county ordered Camping World to remove the giant flag.
- The county said in a statement to KTXL that Camping World did not have a building permit or planning approval for the flagpole.
The big picture: After the business was ordered to take the flag down, that caught the attention of Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis, given that every other Camping World location across the country flies a large American flag.
- Lemonis reportedly ordered the retailer to put the flag back up earlier this week, defying the county.
- KTXL reported that Camping World has applied for a building permit for the flagpole, which is under review from the county.
What they’re saying: Lemonis told KTXL that the flagpole is installed safely and securely as it was driven deep into the ground.
- “It’s symbolism about how we feel about this country,” Lenonis told the station. “We have a lot of veterans who work for us, and a lot of veterans who shop with us. I happen to be an immigrant. I was given the blessing of being able to enter this country and become a citizen, and I’m grateful for it. It’s been part of my life since I was a little child down in Miami, Florida where we had the largest flagpole in Miami at our car dealership.”
