The city of Columbus inadvertently failed to fully comply with a state administrative order for all Mississippi cities to fly flags at half-staff in memory of late U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee (R-Tupelo).
Nunnelee, 56, died Friday of a brain tumor. His funeral was Monday at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo.
The congressman, who was elected to a second term in 2010, had also served 15 years in the state Senate. He attended Caldwell High School in Columbus.
Gov. Phil Bryant issued an order on Friday for all public buildings to fly U.S. and Mississippi flags at half-staff until sunset on Monday in Nunnelee’s honor. While flags flew at half mast at most city facilities, Chief Operations Officer David Armstrong said they flew at full mast at city hall.
Armstrong on Tuesday told The Dispatch the city did not comply via an “oversight,” for which he took full responsibility. He said his office “did not receive a single complaint,” although several citizens commented on social media about city flags being at the top of their staffs.
“We didn’t do it. It was an oversight,” Armstrong said. “If anybody has a problem with it, they can give me a call.”
Armstrong noted that Mayor Robert Smith and Police Chief Tony Carleton attended Nunnelee’s funeral on Monday.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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