As reports of the City of North Platte ordering that American flags be removed from all city vehicles circulate through the city, the mayor says the tale is no more than a rumor.

The Post was contacted by a concerned citizen who had heard that Mayor Dwight Livingston had issued a directive to remove the American flag from all city vehicles, including North Platte Police and Fire vehicles.

According to Mayor Livingston, “This isn’t true.”

Mayor Livingston said he believes the rumor started with a call to City Hall yesterday morning.

“We received a report that a flag on one of the city’s wood chippers was tattered,” Livingston said.  “I contacted the Supervisor of that department and asked him to replace the flag with a new one.”

Livingston added that a directive to remove the American flag would never be issued by him as long as the flags are flown appropriately.

He said the Fire Department installed flags on their vehicles following 9/11, and other city departments have followed their lead.