Hollywood Sign Won’t Get a Patriotic Make-Over

Divided over how to display their patriotic spirit, Los Angeles City Council members Friday officially scrapped plans to paint a giant U.S. flag across the letters of the Hollywood sign.

Although some members said privately that they supported the patriotic paint job, they were unwilling to challenge newly elected Councilman Tom LaBonge, who stood strongly against altering the historic landmark, which is in his district.

“I love this country and I love the flag. I’m very passionate about that,” said LaBonge, whose district includes the Hollywood Hills area. “But I’m also passionate about monuments in this city and keeping them pure. . . . We don’t paint the White House red, white and blue, or the state Capitol.”

Councilman Eric Garcetti, who two weeks ago introduced the motion to paint the sign, said he was disappointed that the city was unable to move forward with the plan.

Garcetti made the proposal at the request of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Universal Studios had agreed to pick up the tab for the project, which called for painting the sign in time for Veterans Day. It would have been repainted white after Thanksgiving.

“It really was a way of honoring the people who have died for this country,” said Garcetti, who represents the flatlands of Hollywood. “We had people around the world excited about the idea. At the end of the day, there was a lot of support for this.”

Councilman Dennis Zine agreed. “I think it’s an embarrassment that we are not showing red, white and blue on the Hollywood sign,” he said.

But others were not so sure. Waiting nearly four hours to address the council, Vietnam veteran Ted Neubauer told city officials that they should instead consider placing a flagpole next to the sign.

“I’m opposed to slopping up the Hollywood sign with a Halloween-type paint job,” he said. “We need a more permanent display that will honor veterans, as well as the flag.”