Designer of first Ventura County flag honored as second one goes up

Kathleen Wilson, Ventura County Star
·4 min read
Supervisor Linda Parks presents a resolution honoring Leroy "Buddy" Gibson Jr., designer of the first county flag. The presentation was made Sept. 13 at the County Government Center in Ventura.
Supervisor Linda Parks presents a resolution honoring Leroy "Buddy" Gibson Jr., designer of the first county flag. The presentation was made Sept. 13 at the County Government Center in Ventura.

The designer of the first Ventura County flag was honored almost 46 years late in a ceremony last week along with the artist who designed the successor that is now flying in front of the County Government Center in Ventura.

County supervisors recognized Leroy "Buddy" Gibson Jr. after discovering the flag they approved in July was the second, not the first. Gibson, 84, of Oxnard, is credited with designing the first flag. It was approved by a previous Board of Supervisors in December 1976 and then promptly axed the next month after a new board majority took office.

Gibson's design shows a condor flying overhead and an outline of the map of Ventura County, but newspaper clippings indicate it was cast aside because the board majority and some citizens opposed having a vulture represent the county.

A copy of Leroy "Buddy" Gibson Jr.'s original design for Ventura County's first official flag shows a condor in flight. Less than a month after the flag was first approved, a new Board of Supervisors rescinded the decision to adopt the flag in January 1977.
A copy of Leroy "Buddy" Gibson Jr.'s original design for Ventura County's first official flag shows a condor in flight. Less than a month after the flag was first approved, a new Board of Supervisors rescinded the decision to adopt the flag in January 1977.

The new one shows a seagull flying by Anacapa Island's Arch Rock, which is more than 10 miles off shore. Federal officials say it is in the county even though the Board of Supervisors has no jurisdiction over it.

It was the winning image in an online survey conducted by the county and supporters describe it as an iconic landmark. But Gibson has questioned whether the island with no regular inhabited communities should have been used to represent a county of more than 840,000 people living on the mainland.

Read more: Updated county seal approved without Serra 

Still, he was appreciative of the belated recognition supervisors gave him in the board hearing room in Ventura. He told the board his objections were never about the new flag, which he called a "beautiful, beautiful rendering," but rather focused on making sure the shape of Ventura County is seen.

"At least keep the shape of our county visible so our grandchildren actually know what grounds that they walk on," he told the board.

The former county draftsman and technical illustrator said he had worked on many projects over 20 years, but that designing the flag was special because it shows identity.

"We should never lose our identity," he said.

This design has been approved for a flag representing Ventura County, but it was not the first.
This design has been approved for a flag representing Ventura County, but it was not the first.

Supervisor Linda Parks presented the resolution to Gibson, who attended the ceremony accompanied by family members. County staff and members of the audience cheered in his honor.

The board also recognized Carol Gravelle, who designed the flag the current board adopted and the county seal upon which it is based. Gravelle said it had been an honor and a privilege to design them.

"To be a part of this process has been very special to me," said the 40-year county resident.

The board presented the resolutions Sept. 13 after approving guidelines and prohibitions for use of the new county flag. The amber and blue flag went up in front of the government center the same day.

Among the rules:

  • The county flag may be flown under the U.S. and state flags when all three can be  attached safely on a flagpole. One such display can now be viewed in front of the County Government Center in Ventura.

  • The flag may be displayed as a wall hanging in government offices.

  • The image may be affixed to articles of clothing that are not uniforms or items such as drinking cups sold or given to county employees

  • The flag may not be used for religious or campaign purposes.

Officials are assessing county government buildings with flag poles to see how many can safely fly the U.S., state and county flags at one time. Each supervisor's office has also received a flag, County Executive Officer Sevet Johnson said.

She said flags may be sold to the public but the details are pending.

The county has ordered 22 flags at a cost of a little over $4,250. They measure 5 feet by 8 feet and 4 feet by 6 feet, but the government is exploring offering additional sizes for sale to the public.

Gravelle was paid $2,520 to design the seal and $750 to design the flag, expenses paid by the office of Supervisor Parks.

Parks was a key leader in the effort to adopt a county flag and modernize the seal that no longer contains an image of mission founder Junipero Serra. About half of the state's 58 counties have flags, she said.

Kathleen Wilson covers the Ventura County government, including the county health system, politics and social services. Reach her at kathleen.wilson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0271.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura County flag begins waving but more displays expected