Oklahoma City Realtors condemn leadership for taking down American flag

Realtors are tearing into their leadership over the removal of a flag court — including the U.S. flag — in front of the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors office building.

It was terrible timing, they say, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in what is widely seen as an attack on democracy. Realtors gathered with their own flags Thursday outside the building at 3131 Northwest Expressway.

By mid-morning, a replacement flag was flying in response to online outrage. Association directors were meeting and preparing a statement.

A Facebook page for metro-area Realtors blew up Wednesday evening after a post by Steve Reese, president of the association, one of several posts about the flags' removal. Reese's post had nearly 500 negative comments by Thursday morning.

"Thanks to everyone who has asked about the removal of the flag poles in front of the OKCMAR building," posted Reese, an agent with NextHomeCentral Real Estate. "While we were proud to fly the flags on the property, we came to realize we do not have the resources to properly maintain and display the flags.

"If we cannot strictly follow protocol, it is not appropriate for us to display the U.S. flag. We appreciate those who shared their opinions."

Thursday morning, Reese issued a statement:

“Our membership has made clear they place a great value on flying the U.S. and other flags prominently in front of the OKCMAR building. We have already reached out to vendors to begin the process of replacing the poles, and we will quickly develop a plan to ensure proper display of the flags at all times. We thank our members for their engagement, and we look forward to seeing the flag flying again soon.”

Nobody on the Facebook page seemed to believe cost was the reason the flags and poles were taken down.

"All due respect, this really sends a horrible message about the Realtor community," Ryan Hukill posted on Facebook. Hukill is an agent with ERA Courtyard OKC who organized the protest outside the building.

"Imagine all the people driving down this major thoroughfare in our city, seeing those flag poles being removed, wondering why we Realtors aren’t proud of our country," Hukill wrote. "What in the world is going on over there? This is an unacceptable slap in the face of every single veteran in this state."

Niki Grider, broker and owner of Elite Key Realty, was among those on Facebook calling for a new Realtors association and Multiple Listing Service.

"Anyone interested in starting a NEW OK State Wide MLS & Association of Realtors? I don’t have one clue how to begin, however it may be time for a HUGE change! I’m not kidding. I’m already visiting with someone about how to proceed! Stay tuned," she said in a Facebook comment.

OKC Realtors express outrage on Facebook over removal of American flag at office

Realtors flooded a Facebook page with negative comments regarding the issue.

Paulette Statler, with Luxury Real Estate in Yukon, posted: "This is unbelievable, taking our flags and flag poles down. At a time when our patriotism should be flying high and proud!"

Veterans and spouses were especially pointed in their comments.

"Being the mother of a Marine, the grandmother of TWO Army National Guard Members, the daughter of an Army Vet and the sister of an Air Force Retiree, I am INCENSED!" commented Barbara Vinson, another agent with Luxury Real Estate.

Vinson bills herself as a "Military Relocation Professional."

"This is a complete outrage," Vinson posted. "Who decided there is not enough resources? When was there a meeting to share this unpatriotic 'decision' with the members of this board? And when do we begin our united show of patriotism for our flag and our COUNTRY!"

Oklahoma City Realtor Janice Taylor posted: "As a wife of a retired combat Army vet, this makes me sick!! Our job is to help folks become a homeowner (the American dream). What standard does this set, and how bad must we all look to the general public!!

"I work primarily with vets, helping them become a homeowner, and with their disability claims from the trauma that they endured defending our country and putting their life on the line for our FLAG!! FLY OUR FLAG!!!!!!!"

Bryan Donnelly, with Coldwell Banker Select, posted: "Raise the Flags. There is absolutely NO excuse anyone can make to justify taking them down. Disgusting!"

Several Realtors offered to pay for replacing the flags, and the maintenance, themselves.

Kenda Townsend, an agent with Lime Realty, said she hoped the association board decides to replace them in her Facebook post.

"As a Realtor in Oklahoma City, I strongly believe in the right of every person to strive towards home ownership. I’m proud to be a Realtor, in good standing with (National Association of Realtors)," she wrote. "I’m very proud to be an American.

"I love this city, state and our country, and flying the American flag in front of OKCMAR, along with our state flag and our membership flag, has always been a source of pride as a professional. I believe the decision to remove the flagpole and flags is a poor decision on behalf of OKCMAR, and hope the board will rectify their misguided mistake.

"The money that we Realtors pay to use their service should reflect the membership goals. And I don’t know any Realtors who believe that taking down the American flag is a smart professional move. We set the Oklahoma standard by improving our communities and the American flag is representative of our standard."

Senior Business Writer Richard Mize has covered housing, construction, commercial real estate, and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com since 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Realtors in Oklahoma City outraged by removal of American flag