Flags fly high in Helen

HELEN - According to city officials, rumors floating around the city of Helen that merchants will be fined for flying American flags are not true.

City manager Jerry Elkins said merchants are encouraged to show as much patriotism as they want.

According to the rumor, city officials have been discouraging the display of the U.S. flag because of the international flavor of Helen - known as Georgia's Alpine Village.

Elkins said "Not only do we (the city) not prohibit them from flying the American flag, we encourage them to do so."

Elkins also said that following the September 11th attacks, the city spent several thousand dollars to buy American flags to be displayed throughout the town.