Critics say Santa on Ohio flagpole is unpatriotic

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio community says it will listen to critics who said a Santa Claus should not displace an American flag on an Ohio flagpole.

Officials in Willoughby say next year they’ll find a different spot for an illuminated Santa who’s part of an elaborate holiday light display in a downtown park. Leaders in the city 18 miles northeast of Cleveland say Saint Nick’s place has been on a 100-foot flagpole for about 10 years.

But resident Linda Wilson tells WJW-TV it’s unpatriotic not to have a flag on the flagpole during a time of war.

City Hall officials say they received a number of concerned phone calls, some from out of state.

Parks & Recreation Director Brian Katz says Willoughby did not mean any insult to service members.