NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 1, 2025) — The New Rochelle City Council’s debate over which foreign flags should fly over City Hall has led to a $750,000 plan to purchase 194 flag poles, funded by repurposing part of a $3.5 million New York State Complete Street Grant originally awarded in 2017 to repair Quaker Ridge Road. The issue first arose in January 2024 when council members secretly tried to remove an Israeli flag that had been displayed at City Hall, with some pushing to replace it with a Palestinian flag.
Earlier in 2025, City Manager Will Melendez proposed flying flags from nations like North Korea, Iran, China, Russia, Venezuela, and Cuba—countries often at odds with the United States. Melendez also proposed flying a flag for Navassa Island, a small uninhabited island in the Caribbean Sea covered in guano, the accumulated excrement of bats. As Navassa has no flag — or people — that has proven to be a challenge. Melendez tabled his flag motion after it was made public by investigative journalist Robert Cox.
The Mayor of New Rochelle is not a flag fan.
“I would rather have no flags,” said Mayor Yadira Ramos. “But if we are going to have flags we should have all flags so no one feels left out.”
The flag pole purchase will transform the front lawn of City Hall, with the city redirecting funds from the Complete Street Grant, despite no progress on Quaker Ridge Road repairs in eight years and no current plans to start. Legal opinions from outside counsel at The Quinn Law Firm and Harris Beach Martha supported the move. Corporation Counsel Dawn Warren confirmed the funds could be used since both Quaker Ridge Road and City Hall abut North Avenue.
Under the plan, the roadway in front of City Hall will undergo a “road diet,” replacing the existing street with bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks. The single roadway will be removed entirely and replaced with an additional bike lane. An alcove near the long-closed front doors of City Hall will also be added for employees to smoke marijuana and vape during coffee breaks and lunch.
Lalit K. Loomba of The Quinn Law Firm warned of legal action against anyone confusing the plan with satire, noting, “This satirical article, published on April 1, is not a malicious attempt to confuse city employees.”
